Description
This Creamy Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo Bake is a cozy, creamy dinner that brings tender chicken, broccoli, orzo pasta, and melted cheese together in one bubbling casserole dish. It is an easy dinner, family dinner idea, weeknight meal, comfort food bake, and simple chicken recipe that feels hearty without being complicated.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup uncooked orzo
2 1/2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
3 cups broccoli florets, small pieces
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Warm the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then cook the onion for 3 to 4 minutes until softened.
3. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Sprinkle in the flour and stir for 1 minute to create a light thickening base.
5. Slowly pour in the chicken broth while stirring, then add the milk, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
6. Stir in the uncooked orzo, cooked chicken, and broccoli until everything is evenly coated in the creamy sauce.
7. Fold in 1 cup cheddar cheese and the Parmesan cheese until melted into the mixture.
8. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly.
9. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese over the top.
10. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
11. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 to 12 minutes, until the orzo is tender, the sauce is bubbling, and the cheese is melted.
12. Let the bake rest for 10 minutes before serving so the sauce thickens slightly.
Notes
Use small broccoli florets so they cook evenly with the orzo and blend nicely into every serving.
If the mixture looks too thick before baking, stir in an extra splash of chicken broth or milk.
Letting the bake rest after the oven is important because the orzo continues absorbing sauce and becomes creamier.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 37 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 generous portion
- Calories: 512
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 742mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 112mg
Keywords: creamy chicken orzo bake, cheesy chicken broccoli casserole, easy dinner, weeknight meal, chicken broccoli orzo, comfort food bake