Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 1 lb. chicken breast tenderloins
- 1½ tsp salt (divided)
- ½ tsp black pepper (freshly cracked)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Cooking Base
- 2 Tbsp salted butter
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1½ cups orzo (uncooked)
- 2½ cups chicken broth
- 1 cup whole milk (room temperature)
Vegetables and Cheese
- 3 cups frozen broccoli florets (roughly chopped)
- 4 oz. cheddar cheese (shredded, about 1 cup)
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Gather all ingredients and roughly chop the frozen broccoli florets to ensure even cooking and texture.
- Season Chicken: Cut chicken tenderloins into bite-size pieces. Place in a medium bowl and toss with 1 tsp salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika until evenly coated.
- Sauté Chicken: Melt butter and olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or broiler pan over medium heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook until fully cooked through, about 6 minutes per side or 12-15 minutes total, stirring occasionally for even cooking.
- Toast Orzo: Add dry orzo pasta directly to the pan with the cooked chicken and toss for about 2 minutes to lightly toast the orzo, enhancing its flavor.
- Deglaze Pan: Pour in chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping any browned bits off the bottom. Stir everything together and reduce heat to medium-low.
- Add Milk and Broccoli: Add the room temperature whole milk and stir to combine. Then incorporate the chopped broccoli florets. Let simmer for about 8 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Mix in Cheese: Stir in half of the shredded cheddar cheese into the skillet mixture for creamy richness.
- Prepare for Broiling: Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the top, then season with the remaining salt and additional black pepper to taste.
- Broil Cheese: Transfer the skillet to the oven and broil on high for 3-5 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Alternatively, cover the pan with a lid and allow the cheese to melt on the stovetop if you prefer not to broil.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs or whole chicken breasts if tenderloins are not available.
- Ensure the milk is at room temperature before adding to avoid curdling.
- Frozen broccoli can be roughly chopped while frozen for ease.
- If you don’t have a broiler-safe pan, carefully transfer the mixture to a baking dish before broiling.
- For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat cheese and milk, though the texture may be slightly different.
- Prep Time: 7 minutes
- Cook Time: 23 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
