Marry Me Chicken Orzo (Dumbed Down)

Ingredients

• 1.5 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (Whole; source gives a range of 1.5–2 lb.)
• 1 cup dry orzo
• 2.75 cup chicken broth
• 3 cloves pre-minced garlic
• 0.5 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil (Lightly drained.)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 0.5 tsp salt (Plus more for the chicken, to taste.)
• black pepper (For seasoning the chicken; amount not specified.)
• 6 oz cream cheese (Cubed.)
• 1 handful fresh spinach (Optional; add and let wilt. Source gives a range of 1–2 handfuls.)
• lemon juice (Optional; a small squeeze.)
• cooking spray or grease (For greasing the 9x13-inch baking dish; type and amount not specified.)

Steps

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.

2. 2

   Add the dry orzo, chicken broth, pre-minced garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic powder, paprika, dried oregano, and ½ teaspoon salt to the baking dish. Stir to combine, then let the mixture sit for 5 minutes.

3. 3

   Nestle the whole chicken thighs on top of the orzo mixture. Season the chicken with additional salt and black pepper; the source does not specify amounts.

4. 4

   Scatter the cubed cream cheese around the dish. Do not stir it in.

5. 5

   Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes.

6. 6

   Remove the foil and stir the orzo around the chicken. Cover the dish again with foil.

7. 7

   Bake for another 15–20 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

8. 8

   Let the dish rest, covered, for 5 minutes.

9. 9

   Stir everything together until the cream cheese melts into a sauce.

10. 10

    Add the optional spinach and let it wilt for 1–2 minutes.

11. 11

    Add an optional small squeeze of lemon.

Notes

The comments report that some cooks needed substantially longer baking than the listed time; use the stated internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to confirm the chicken is cooked. The source does not specify the amount of black pepper, extra salt, or lemon juice.

Nutrition per serving

• dinner
• main course
• one-dish
• baked
• easy
• comfort food