Description
Orzo Tuscan Chicken Bake is a cozy, flavorful one-pan casserole that combines tender orzo pasta with juicy chicken, a creamy parmesan-mozzarella sauce, fresh spinach, and sweet cherry tomatoes. Baked to golden perfection, this comforting dish boasts a luscious texture and vibrant Tuscan flavors, making it a perfect easy dinner for family or friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Orzo and Chicken
- 16 oz. dry orzo
- 2 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie or sautéed diced chicken)
Liquids and Dairy
- 3 cups chicken stock (unsalted)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2/3 cup parmesan cheese (grated or shredded)
- 1.5 cups mozzarella cheese (shredded)
Vegetables and Herbs
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 cups loosely packed baby spinach leaves (roughly chopped, or 8 oz box chopped spinach, thawed and well-drained)
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes (whole or sliced in half)
- 1/2 lemon (juice of)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Seasonings
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
- 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (if not using fresh garlic)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the casserole dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spray a 9×13-inch casserole dish with non-stick spray to prevent sticking and ease cleanup.
- Combine the ingredients in the casserole dish: In the prepared casserole dish, add dry orzo, cooked chicken, chicken stock, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, chopped spinach, cherry tomatoes, lemon juice, and half of the parmesan and mozzarella cheeses. Mix thoroughly so that all ingredients are evenly distributed and the orzo is fully submerged in the liquid.
- Top with the remaining cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheeses evenly over the top of the casserole to create a golden, cheesy crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes. The orzo should be tender, and the cheese on top should be bubbly and golden. If the casserole appears too liquidy after baking, allow it to rest for about 10 minutes so the liquid can be absorbed and the dish can set properly.
- Serve and enjoy: After the resting period, stir the casserole gently with a large spoon to combine everything. Serve hot alongside a light salad or your favorite side dish. Enjoy the creamy, cheesy orzo with tender chicken and fresh spinach packed with vibrant flavors.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a convenient shortcut, or sauté diced chicken breast or thighs if you prefer fresh cooking.
- If you don’t have fresh garlic, substitute with 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, though fresh garlic provides a more robust flavor.
- For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, noting the dish will be less creamy.
- Make sure to drain frozen spinach thoroughly to avoid excess moisture diluting the sauce.
- Adjust salt to taste, especially if using salty chicken stock or aged parmesan.
- Allowing the casserole to rest after baking helps thicken the sauce and improves texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Tuscan, Italian
Keywords: Orzo Chicken Bake, Tuscan chicken casserole, creamy orzo, baked pasta, one-pan meal, comfort food, spinach tomato casserole
