Rooster Orzo Bake (A One Dish Bake!)

Make this Rooster Orzo Bake while you want an straightforward household dinner quick! Made with juicy hen, contemporary broccoli, tender orzo, and loads of melty cheese, this creamy casserole is baked in one dish for simple clean-up.

plated Chicken Orzo Bake with dish full in the back

Holly’s Recipe Spotlights: Rooster Orzo Bake

Taste: A wealthy, garlic-herb cream sauce is tossed with tender orzo, juicy hen, and bite-sized broccoli. It’s a traditional consolation casserole completed with a layer of cheddar and Parmesan cheese.
Why Make It: Every little thing cooks proper in a single baking dish with easy elements you probably have already got readily available, so it’s good for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.
Instruments: All you want are a baking dish with a tight-fitting lid, or aluminum foil to cowl it.
Serving: This family-sized casserole is a full meal by itself, but additionally scrumptious served with a fresh summer salad and homemade garlic bread or fluffy dinner rolls to absorb the sauce.

Complete Time: 1 Hour Servings: 8 Cooking Technique: Baked Casserole

Ingredient Notes

milk , chicken , broth , orzo , broccoli , Italian seasoning , garlic powder , parmesan , cheese , salt and pepper with labels to make Chicken Orzo Bake

Orzo: Dry orzo bakes straight within the broth and milk. Prepare dinner occasions range by model, so verify for doneness earlier than serving.
Rooster: Use chopped, cooked hen. A rotisserie hen, leftover roast chicken, oven-baked chicken breasts, or baked chicken thighs all work effectively.
Broccoli: Contemporary bite-sized broccoli florets are straightforward to tuck into casseroles and cook dinner at a good price. Frozen broccoli will be added with out thawing.
Broth: Use hen broth as a substitute of water for extra taste. A low-sodium broth can be utilized if that you must management the salt on this recipe.
Milk: I like entire milk for a creamy texture that’s not too heavy. You need to use half-fat cream for a richer style.
Seasoning: Garlic powder and Italian seasoning add fast taste with out chopping or sautéing.
Cheese: The Parmesan brings a salty, nutty taste, and the cheddar is daring and tangy. Use freshly shredded cheese for the very best outcomes, however pre-shredded can be utilized.

Variations

Turkey is a superb substitute for hen! Plus it’s a good way to make use of up that holiday turkey feast!
No contemporary broccoli? Sub in frozen florets; no must thaw. You possibly can add peas, diced bell pepper, or cauliflower for a veggie-forward dish. Spinach is a colourful choice however ought to be added in direction of the tip of baking so it doesn’t overcook.
Whereas I like cheddar for this recipe, you need to use Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Colby, or a cheddar mix.

Steam helps the pasta cook dinner evenly, so be sure you cowl the baking dish tightly with both a lid or foil.
Give it a delicate stir after the primary bake to launch any orzo caught within the corners and verify that it’s cooking evenly.
Don’t be shocked to see a bit of additional liquid after the bake time. As soon as the cheese is added and it rests, it’ll thicken up and turn out to be creamy.
If it thickens an excessive amount of, stir in a splash of heat broth or milk after baking.

close up of cheesy Chicken Orzo Bake in the casserole dish

Make the Most of Leftovers

Storing Leftovers:

Refrigerate cooled leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as 4 days.
Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe bag or container for as much as 3 months.

Reheating Leftovers:

Thaw the frozen casserole within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating; simply bear in mind that the orzo can have a softer texture.
Reheat small parts within the microwave, and bigger parts lined and warmed in a 350°F oven, till heated by means of.
Add a little bit of heat broth or milk to reheated leftovers if it thickens an excessive amount of.

Extra Cozy Rooster Casseroles

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 20 minutes

Prepare dinner Time 35 minutes

Relaxation Time 5 minutes

Complete Time 1 hour

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Flippantly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
To the baking dish, add orzo, hen, broccoli, hen broth, milk, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper. Combine effectively.
Cowl the dish tightly with foil or a lid.
Bake for 35 minutes. Take away the foil, stir gently, and verify the orzo for doneness. If wanted, cowl and bake for an extra 5 to 10 minutes or till the orzo is tender (there’ll nonetheless be some further liquid within the pan).
As soon as the orzo is tender, stir within the parmesan and cheddar cheese till absolutely included. Let relaxation for five minutes earlier than serving.

Frozen broccoli can be utilized, no must thaw first.
Orzo cook dinner occasions range by model. If you happen to discover the orzo is just too thick after baking, stir in heat broth or milk to succeed in the specified consistency.

Diet data offered is an estimate and can range primarily based on cooking strategies and types of elements used.

Course Primary Course

Delicacies American

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