Rooster Orzo Bake (A One Dish Bake!)

Make this Rooster Orzo Bake if you want an straightforward household dinner quick! Made with juicy hen, contemporary broccoli, tender orzo, and loads of melty cheese, this creamy casserole is baked in one dish for straightforward clean-up.

plated Chicken Orzo Bake with dish full in the back

Holly’s Recipe Spotlights: Rooster Orzo Bake

Taste: A wealthy, garlic-herb cream sauce is tossed with tender orzo, juicy hen, and bite-sized broccoli. It’s a traditional consolation casserole completed with a layer of cheddar and Parmesan cheese.
Why Make It: All the pieces cooks proper in a single baking dish with easy components you doubtless have already got available, so it’s good for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.
Instruments: All you want are a baking dish with a tight-fitting lid, or aluminum foil to cowl it.
Serving: This family-sized casserole is a full meal by itself, but in addition scrumptious served with a fresh summer salad and homemade garlic bread or fluffy dinner rolls to take in the sauce.

Whole Time: 1 Hour Servings: 8 Cooking Methodology: Baked Casserole

Ingredient Notes

milk , chicken , broth , orzo , broccoli , Italian seasoning , garlic powder , parmesan , cheese , salt and pepper with labels to make Chicken Orzo Bake

Orzo: Dry orzo bakes straight within the broth and milk. Prepare dinner occasions fluctuate by model, so test for doneness earlier than serving.
Rooster: Use chopped, cooked hen. A rotisserie hen, leftover roast chicken, oven-baked chicken breasts, or baked chicken thighs all work properly.
Broccoli: Recent bite-sized broccoli florets are straightforward to tuck into casseroles and cook dinner at a good price. Frozen broccoli could be added with out thawing.
Broth: Use hen broth as an alternative of water for extra taste. A low-sodium broth can be utilized if it’s essential management the salt on this recipe.
Milk: I like complete milk for a creamy texture that’s not too heavy. You should utilize half-fat cream for a richer style.
Seasoning: Garlic powder and Italian seasoning add fast taste with out chopping or sautéing.
Cheese: The Parmesan brings a salty, nutty taste, and the cheddar is daring and tangy. Use freshly shredded cheese for the perfect outcomes, however pre-shredded can be utilized.

Variations

Turkey is a superb substitute for hen! Plus it’s an effective way to make use of up that holiday turkey feast!
No contemporary broccoli? Sub in frozen florets; no must thaw. You’ll be able to add peas, diced bell pepper, or cauliflower for a veggie-forward dish. Spinach is a colourful possibility however needs to be added in the direction of the top of baking so it doesn’t overcook.
Whereas I really like cheddar for this recipe, you should use Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Colby, or a cheddar mix.

Steam helps the pasta cook dinner evenly, so make sure you cowl the baking dish tightly with both a lid or foil.
Give it a delicate stir after the primary bake to launch any orzo caught within the corners and test that it’s cooking evenly.
Don’t be shocked to see a bit of additional liquid after the bake time. As soon as the cheese is added and it rests, it should thicken up and turn into creamy.
If it thickens an excessive amount of, stir in a splash of heat broth or milk after baking.

close up of cheesy Chicken Orzo Bake in the casserole dish

Make the Most of Leftovers

Storing Leftovers:

Refrigerate cooled leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as 4 days.
Freeze leftovers in a freezer-safe bag or container for as much as 3 months.

Reheating Leftovers:

Thaw the frozen casserole within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating; simply bear in mind that the orzo may have a softer texture.
Reheat small parts within the microwave, and bigger parts lined and warmed in a 350°F oven, till heated by way of.
Add a little bit of heat broth or milk to reheated leftovers if it thickens an excessive amount of.

Extra Cozy Rooster Casseroles

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image of Everyday Comfort cookbook by Holly Nilsson of Spend With Pennies plus text

Prep Time 20 minutes

Prepare dinner Time 35 minutes

Relaxation Time 5 minutes

Whole Time 1 hour

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Frivolously grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
To the baking dish, add orzo, hen, broccoli, hen broth, milk, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper. Combine properly.
Cowl the dish tightly with foil or a lid.
Bake for 35 minutes. Take away the foil, stir gently, and test the orzo for doneness. If wanted, cowl and bake for an extra 5 to 10 minutes or till the orzo is tender (there’ll nonetheless be some further liquid within the pan).
As soon as the orzo is tender, stir within the parmesan and cheddar cheese till absolutely integrated. Let relaxation for five minutes earlier than serving.

Frozen broccoli can be utilized, no must thaw first.
Orzo cook dinner occasions fluctuate by model. Should you discover the orzo is just too thick after baking, stir in heat broth or milk to achieve the specified consistency.

Vitamin data offered is an estimate and can fluctuate based mostly on cooking strategies and types of components used.

Course Foremost Course

Delicacies American

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