One-Pot cheesy Chicken, Broccoli + Orzo
This One-Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo is creamy, cozy, and packed with flavor. Made with Borden® Shredded Cheddar and ready in 30 minutes.
Creator: Leslie Stokes
If there’s one thing I love this time of year, it’s a one-pot dinner that tastes like comfort food but still checks all my “quick, easy, and high-protein” boxes. And this One-Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Orzo has been on repeat in our house lately. It’s creamy, cozy, and the kind of dinner the kids inhale without asking what’s in it… which is truly the dream.
This recipe is basically my take on a grown-up mac and cheese mixed with a chicken and broccoli skillet. The orzo cooks directly in the broth, which means it gets super creamy without you needing heavy cream or a roux. Then we stir in Greek yogurt for extra protein and richness, and of course the star of the whole dish: Borden® Shredded Cheddar. It melts perfectly, gives you that real cheesy flavor, and pulls the whole pot together.
What I love most about this recipe is how effortless it is. You’re seasoning and browning the chicken, tossing in the orzo and broth, adding broccoli, and then finishing it off with the creamiest, cheesiest mixture. That’s it. No separate pot for pasta, no complicated sauce, no extra steps. One pot, 30-ish minutes, dinner is done. And honestly, those are the meals that save me on busy school nights when everyone is hungry at the same time.
It’s also incredibly flexible. You can use fresh or frozen broccoli — no need to thaw. Swap the chicken for rotisserie if you want an even quicker shortcut. Add lemon zest for brightness or red pepper flakes for a kick. And if you meal prep, this is one of those dishes that reheats beautifully. Just add a splash of broth to bring it back to life and it’s creamy all over again.
The best part? It feels like true comfort food, but you know it’s packed with protein from the chicken, the orzo, and the yogurt — plus that delicious melt from Borden® cheddar. It’s a weeknight dinner that tastes indulgent without actually being heavy, and those are my favorite kinds of meals.
If you need a new go-to that works for kids, busy nights, picky eaters, and meal prep… this one checks every box. Cozy, cheesy, and so easy — my kind of dinner.
Tips for this recipe
For meal prep:
Stays creamy 3–4 days. Add a splash of broth or milk when reheating.
For picky eaters:
Chop broccoli small and use mild cheddar for a smooth, cheesy flavor.
For extra richness:
Use half & half instead of milk. Add an extra handful of Borden® cheese.
For brightness:
A squeeze of lemon at the end totally wakes it up.
One-Pot Cheesy Chicken Broccoli + Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast diced into small bite-size pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 cup dry orzo
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups chopped broccoli florets fresh or frozen
- ½ cup milk 2% or whole — or half & half for richer
- 1 cup Borden® Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt or light sour cream
- Optional: red pepper flakes lemon zest, parsley
Let's Make It
- Season + sauté the chicken- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add chicken, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Cook until golden and mostly cooked through.
- Add the orzo + broth- Stir in the dry orzo. Pour in chicken broth. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add broccoli- Stir in broccoli. Cover again and cook another 3–4 minutes until broccoli is tender and orzo is creamy.
- Make it creamy + cheesy- Reduce heat to low. Stir in milk, Greek yogurt, and Borden® Shredded Cheddar until melted and smooth.
- Add lemon, red pepper flakes, or parsley if you want a little freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Estimate (per serving, 5 servings)
Calories: ~390
Protein: 34g
Carbs: 34g
Fat: 13g
Fiber: 3g
