Creamy Garlic Butter Pepper Jack Chicken Orzo (Printable)

A luscious one-pan dish with tender chicken, creamy orzo, spinach, and garlic butter spiked with Pepper Jack cheese.

# What goes in:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 1 teaspoon paprika
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Orzo & Aromatics

05 - 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta (uncooked)
06 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 5 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

→ Liquids & Creaminess

09 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 cup whole milk
11 - 1/3 cup heavy cream

→ Cheese & Finish

12 - 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
13 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
14 - 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
15 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Season chicken pieces with paprika, salt, and black pepper, coating evenly.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté chicken until golden and cooked through, 5–6 minutes. Remove to a plate and set aside.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Melt remaining butter in the skillet. Add garlic and onion, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 2–3 minutes.
04 - Stir in orzo and toast lightly for 1 minute to enhance flavor.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and milk, stirring constantly and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
06 - Bring to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 8–10 minutes until orzo is mostly tender and most liquid is absorbed.
07 - Stir in heavy cream and cooked chicken. Add spinach and Pepper Jack cheese, stirring until spinach wilts and cheese melts completely, 2–3 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
08 - Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything happens in one pan, which means maximum flavor and minimum cleanup
  • Pepper Jack brings this gentle heat that sneaks up on you, making every bite interesting
  • The orzo gets incredibly creamy without needing any fancy technique or endless stirring
02 -
  • The orzo continues absorbing liquid as it sits, so if you are reheating leftovers, add a splash of milk or broth to bring back that creamy consistency
  • Pepper Jack heat levels vary by brand, so taste your cheese before adding and adjust with red pepper flakes if you want more kick
  • Do not rush the garlic step, burnt garlic turns bitter and will throw off the whole balance of flavors
03 -
  • Cut your chicken into slightly larger cubes if you want them to stay juicy and not dry out during the final simmer
  • Grate your own cheese from a block instead of using pre-shredded for the smoothest melting

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