Rooster Orzo Bake (A One Dish Bake!)

Make this Rooster Orzo Bake once 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 straightforward 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 basic consolation casserole completed with a layer of cheddar and Parmesan cheese.
Why Make It: Every part cooks proper in a single baking dish with easy components you seemingly 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 take in 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. Cook dinner occasions range by model, so examine 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 prepare dinner at an excellent price. Frozen broccoli could 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 you might want to management the salt on this recipe.
Milk: I like entire milk for a creamy texture that’s not too heavy. You should utilize 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 have to thaw. You possibly can add peas, diced bell pepper, or cauliflower for a veggie-forward dish. Spinach is a colourful choice however needs to be added in direction of the top of baking so it doesn’t overcook.
Whereas I like cheddar for this recipe, you should utilize Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Colby, or a cheddar mix.

Steam helps the pasta prepare dinner evenly, so you’ll want to 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 examine 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 can thicken up and change into 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 way 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

Cook 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 examine the orzo for doneness. If wanted, cowl and bake for a further 5 to 10 minutes or till the orzo is tender (there’ll nonetheless be some additional liquid within the pan).
As soon as the orzo is tender, stir within the parmesan and cheddar cheese till totally included. Let relaxation for five minutes earlier than serving.

Frozen broccoli can be utilized, no have to thaw first.
Orzo prepare dinner occasions range by model. In case you discover the orzo is simply 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 components used.

Course Important Course

Delicacies American

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