Go Back

Creamy Cashew Chicken Orzo

A quick and creamy dish featuring orzo pasta, chicken, and cashews that is perfect for busy nights and packed with flavor.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Comfort Food
Calories: 550
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 1 cup orzo pasta Cook according to package instructions
Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound chicken breast, diced You can substitute with shrimp or tofu
  • 1 cup unsalted cashews Optional for garnish
Liquids
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream Can be substituted with half-and-half or coconut milk
Seasonings
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
For Cooking
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
Garnish
  • Fresh parsley For garnish, optional

Method
 

Cooking the Orzo
  1. Boil a pot of salted water and cook the orzo according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Sautéing the Chicken
  1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Sauté until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
Adding Flavors
  1. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
Getting Creamy
  1. Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Let simmer for about 5 minutes.
Combining Ingredients
  1. Stir in the cooked orzo and cashews, mixing everything together until well coated in the sauce.
Serving
  1. Divide the dish into bowls, garnish with fresh parsley, and enjoy.

Notes

To add more nutrition, consider including vegetables like spinach or broccoli. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheat gently.