One-Pan Creamy Chicken Lasagna Orzo (Printable)

Classic lasagna flavors reimagined in a quick one-pan creamy orzo skillet with chicken, tomatoes, and ricotta.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced

→ Vegetables & Aromatics

02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 2 cups fresh spinach leaves

→ Pantry & Grains

07 - 1 1/4 cups orzo pasta
08 - 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
09 - 2 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste

→ Dairy

11 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
12 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
13 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
14 - 3/4 cup ricotta cheese, for dolloping

→ Seasonings

15 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
16 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional
17 - Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
18 - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
02 - Stir in cherry tomatoes and cook until softened, approximately 2 minutes.
03 - Add orzo and tomato paste, stirring to coat the grains. Pour in crushed tomatoes and chicken broth. Season with Italian herbs, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
04 - Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo reaches al dente texture and most liquid is absorbed.
05 - Stir in shredded chicken, spinach, and heavy cream. Cook for 2 minutes until spinach wilts and chicken is heated through.
06 - Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses over the skillet. Gently fold to combine, allowing cheeses to melt and sauce to thicken.
07 - Remove from heat. Dollop ricotta over the top and garnish with fresh basil. Serve hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like layered, baked lasagna without the fuss of assembly or waiting for the oven to preheat.
  • Everything happens in one pan, which means less cleanup and more time enjoying your meal.
  • The creamy sauce clings to each tiny orzo grain, creating that luxurious texture you crave in comfort food.
02 -
  • Don't skip the toasting step with the dry orzo and tomato paste—that minute makes the flavor noticeably deeper and more complex.
  • Stir occasionally while simmering so the pasta doesn't stick to the bottom, but don't fuss with it constantly or it won't cook evenly.
  • The cream goes in at the very end so it doesn't break or curdle from prolonged heat.
03 -
  • Keep your chicken shredded rather than diced—it distributes more evenly throughout the creamy sauce and feels more luxurious.
  • Don't use pre-shredded cheese if you can help it; it has anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting, and you'll taste the difference in the final sauce.
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