Creamy Chicken Pot Pie Orzo (Printable Format)
A comforting twist on a classic, featuring creamy orzo loaded with chicken, vibrant vegetables, and a luscious savory sauce.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 cup carrots, diced
03 - 1 cup frozen peas
04 - 1 cup celery, diced
05 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Base & Pasta
07 - 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
08 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
09 - 1 cup whole milk
10 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
11 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
12 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
→ Seasonings
13 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
14 - 1/2 tsp dried parsley
15 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
16 - 1/2 tsp salt
# How-To Steps:
01 - Melt butter in a large pot or deep skillet over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery; sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened.
02 - Stir in garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir to coat evenly. Cook for 1 minute to remove the raw flour taste.
04 - Slowly whisk in chicken broth, then add milk. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer while stirring constantly.
05 - Add orzo, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally until orzo is al dente and the sauce has thickened.
06 - Stir in heavy cream, cooked chicken, and peas. Simmer for 3–5 minutes until heated through. Remove from heat, let stand for 2–3 minutes to thicken, and garnish with extra parsley.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- It delivers all the rich, savory comfort of a classic pot pie without the hassle of rolling out dough.
- The orzo pasta cooks right in the sauce, starching the liquid to create the most velvety, luscious texture effortlessly.
02 -
- Do not step away from the stove once the orzo goes in, as the starch can cause the liquid to thicken rapidly and stick to the bottom.
- The sauce will continue to thicken significantly as it cools, so do not worry if it looks slightly loose when you turn off the heat.
03 -
- Use a low-sodium broth so you can control the salt level accurately without making it too salty.
- Grate a little fresh nutmeg into the cream sauce for a warm, subtle spice that surprises the palate.