Description
How to make one pot creamy honey BBQ chicken orzo with tender pasta and golden chicken that satisfies your comfort food cravings in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein & Base
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1½ cups uncooked orzo pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Honey BBQ Sauce
- ½ cup BBQ sauce
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Creamy Elements
- 2½ cups low sodium chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Seasonings & Garnish
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 green onions, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Heat olive oil in large pot over medium-high heat until shimmering and fragrant.
- Brown Chicken: Add seasoned chicken to hot oil and cook 5-6 minutes until golden brown on all sides. Don’t overcrowd – work in batches if needed.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook 2-3 minutes until onion softens and garlic becomes fragrant and golden.
- Make Sauce: Whisk together BBQ sauce, honey, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire, and smoked paprika. Pour over chicken and stir to coat everything evenly.
- Add Orzo: Pour in chicken broth and add uncooked orzo. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer covered for 12-15 minutes until orzo is tender.
- Finish Creamy: Stir in heavy cream, softened cream cheese, and cheddar cheese. Cook 2-3 minutes until cheese melts and sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Serve Hot: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped green onions and serve immediately while hot and creamy for best results.
Notes
- Brown the chicken well for maximum flavor development and color.
- Soften cream cheese completely at room temperature before adding to prevent lumps.
- Stir frequently once orzo is added to prevent sticking and burning.
- Taste and adjust honey or BBQ sauce ratio to your preference.
- Serve immediately while hot for best creamy texture.
- Leftovers thicken when refrigerated – add liquid when reheating.
Allergy Information: Dairy, Gluten
Nutrition
- Calories: 485 calories
- Fat: 22g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Protein: 35g