Description
This one-skillet creamy chicken with Gruyere and orzo is a comforting, all-in-one dinner perfect for weeknights. Tender chicken thighs are seared to perfection and nestled into a creamy, thyme-scented Gruyere sauce with tender orzo pasta and sautéed mushrooms. An easy, elegant meal with minimal cleanup!
Ingredients
1 ½ pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
1 cup orzo pasta
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
1 ½ cups chicken broth
½ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. Pat chicken thighs dry and season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until golden. Flip and cook another 2-3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. Add remaining butter to the skillet. Sauté sliced mushrooms until golden, then stir in minced garlic and thyme until fragrant.
4. Stir in the orzo and toast lightly for 1-2 minutes.
5. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan.
6. Return chicken thighs to the skillet, nestling them into the orzo mixture. Cover and simmer over low heat for 10-12 minutes.
7. Remove lid and sprinkle Gruyere evenly over the skillet.
8. Cover for another 2-3 minutes or place under a broiler until cheese is melted and bubbly.
9. Serve hot with additional thyme or black pepper if desired.
Notes
For best sear, don’t move the chicken until it naturally releases from the pan.
If the sauce thickens too much, add a splash of broth when reheating.
Freshly grated Gruyere melts better and more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with orzo
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 44g
- Cholesterol: 140mg