Description
Skillet Chicken Thighs with Broccoli Cheddar Orzo is a creamy, comforting one-pan meal featuring crispy golden chicken thighs, cheesy orzo, and tender broccoli. It’s hearty, flavorful, and ready in just 30 minutes — perfect for an easy, satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 4 large thighs)
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
½ cup yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz dried orzo (about ½ of a 16 oz package)
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 pound broccoli florets (quartered or halved)
1 ½ cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt and black pepper.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken skin-side down and cook 4–5 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Add remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil to the skillet and sauté diced onion for 3 minutes until softened.
- Add orzo and toast for 3–4 minutes, stirring frequently. Add garlic and cook 1–2 minutes more.
- Pour in chicken broth and scrape up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Return chicken to skillet, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer 8 minutes.
- Add broccoli florets on top, cover, and cook another 12 minutes, until chicken reaches 165°F and broccoli is tender.
- Remove chicken from skillet and stir orzo and broccoli together with shredded cheddar until creamy and combined.
- Adjust seasoning to taste and serve warm with chicken on top.
Notes
For quicker cooking, use boneless thighs or chicken breasts and reduce simmering time.
Use frozen broccoli if fresh isn’t available; add during the last 8–10 minutes of cooking.
Swap cheddar for gouda, mozzarella, or pepper jack for different flavors.
Make it vegetarian by omitting chicken and using vegetable broth with mushrooms or spinach.
To reheat, warm gently with a splash of broth or milk to restore creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 540
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 155mg
