Name: Orzo Tuscan Chicken Bake: A Cozy, Flavor-Packed One-Pan Meal
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 16 oz. dry orzo Orzo is a small, rice-shaped pasta that works beautifully in casseroles and bakes. It soaks up the creamy sauce while maintaining its texture, making it a key component in this dish. If you’re not familiar with orzo, it has a tender bite when cooked properly and provides a comforting, satisfying base for the other ingredients.; 2 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie or sautéed diced chicken) Chicken is the star of this dish, offering both protein and a mild flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce. Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut, as it’s already cooked and seasoned, saving you time. Alternatively, you can sauté diced chicken breast or thighs in a bit of olive oil for a fresh approach.; 3 cups chicken stock (unsalted) The chicken stock is the foundation of the flavorful sauce. It adds depth and richness to the dish without overwhelming the other ingredients. Using unsalted stock allows you to control the seasoning, which is important for achieving the perfect balance of flavors.; 1 cup heavy cream This is what gives the dish its luscious, velvety texture. The heavy cream ensures that the casserole stays creamy and smooth, enveloping the orzo and chicken in a rich sauce. If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute it with half-and-half or a milk alternative, but the creaminess may be slightly reduced.; 5 garlic cloves, minced Garlic is a quintessential flavor in many Italian dishes, and it brings a savory, aromatic touch to this bake. The minced garlic infuses the sauce with its unmistakable taste, giving the dish a savory backbone. If you’re a garlic lover, feel free to add more to suit your taste.; 2/3 cup parmesan (grated or shredded) Parmesan is one of the essential cheeses in this dish. It adds a nutty, salty element that enhances the overall flavor. Its sharpness cuts through the richness of the cream and cheese, creating a perfect balance of flavors.; 1.5 cups mozzarella (shredded) Mozzarella melts beautifully, forming a gooey, cheesy layer on top of the dish. It brings a mild creaminess and helps bind all the ingredients together. Mozzarella also adds a stretchiness to each bite, which is always a comforting texture in cheesy casseroles.; 3 cups loosely packed baby spinach leaves (roughly chopped, or 8 oz box chopped spinach, thawed and well-drained) Spinach adds both color and a burst of nutrients to the dish. Its slightly earthy flavor complements the creaminess of the sauce. Baby spinach is perfect for this recipe because it wilts easily and blends seamlessly into the casserole. If using frozen spinach, make sure to drain it well to prevent excess moisture from watering down the dish.; 1 pint cherry tomatoes (leave whole or slice in half) The sweet and juicy cherry tomatoes provide a pop of freshness and color. As they cook in the casserole, their juices infuse the dish with a subtle sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the savory flavors. Cutting them in half allows their juices to mingle with the sauce, creating a delightful burst of flavor in each bite.; 1/2 lemon (juice of) A squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds brightness and acidity to the dish, helping to cut through the richness of the cream and cheese. The tangy citrus flavor enhances the other ingredients and brings a refreshing contrast to the savory elements.; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning Italian seasoning is a classic blend of herbs—usually oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme. It imparts a fragrant, herby note that is quintessential to Tuscan flavors. This seasoning mix brings depth to the dish without overpowering the other ingredients.; 1/2 teaspoon salt (or more to taste) Salt is essential for bringing out the flavors in the dish. Start with half a teaspoon and adjust according to your taste preferences. The amount of salt you need may vary depending on how salty your stock and cheese are.; 1 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper Freshly cracked black pepper adds a mild heat and depth of flavor that balances the richness of the dish. It’s best to use freshly cracked pepper for the most aromatic result.; Optional: 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (if not using fresh garlic) If you don’t have fresh garlic on hand, garlic powder is a convenient substitute. It adds a more subtle garlic flavor, but if you’re using fresh garlic, you can skip this ingredient.

Ingredients

Scale

16 oz. dry orzo
Orzo is a small, rice-shaped pasta that works beautifully in casseroles and bakes. It soaks up the creamy sauce while maintaining its texture, making it a key component in this dish. If you’re not familiar with orzo, it has a tender bite when cooked properly and provides a comforting, satisfying base for the other ingredients.
2 cups cooked chicken (rotisserie or sautéed diced chicken)
Chicken is the star of this dish, offering both protein and a mild flavor that pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce. Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut, as it’s already cooked and seasoned, saving you time. Alternatively, you can sauté diced chicken breast or thighs in a bit of olive oil for a fresh approach.
3 cups chicken stock (unsalted)
The chicken stock is the foundation of the flavorful sauce. It adds depth and richness to the dish without overwhelming the other ingredients. Using unsalted stock allows you to control the seasoning, which is important for achieving the perfect balance of flavors.
1 cup heavy cream
This is what gives the dish its luscious, velvety texture. The heavy cream ensures that the casserole stays creamy and smooth, enveloping the orzo and chicken in a rich sauce. If you prefer a lighter version, you can substitute it with half-and-half or a milk alternative, but the creaminess may be slightly reduced.
5 garlic cloves, minced
Garlic is a quintessential flavor in many Italian dishes, and it brings a savory, aromatic touch to this bake. The minced garlic infuses the sauce with its unmistakable taste, giving the dish a savory backbone. If you’re a garlic lover, feel free to add more to suit your taste.
2/3 cup parmesan (grated or shredded)
Parmesan is one of the essential cheeses in this dish. It adds a nutty, salty element that enhances the overall flavor. Its sharpness cuts through the richness of the cream and cheese, creating a perfect balance of flavors.
1.5 cups mozzarella (shredded)
Mozzarella melts beautifully, forming a gooey, cheesy layer on top of the dish. It brings a mild creaminess and helps bind all the ingredients together. Mozzarella also adds a stretchiness to each bite, which is always a comforting texture in cheesy casseroles.
3 cups loosely packed baby spinach leaves (roughly chopped, or 8 oz box chopped spinach, thawed and well-drained)
Spinach adds both color and a burst of nutrients to the dish. Its slightly earthy flavor complements the creaminess of the sauce. Baby spinach is perfect for this recipe because it wilts easily and blends seamlessly into the casserole. If using frozen spinach, make sure to drain it well to prevent excess moisture from watering down the dish.
1 pint cherry tomatoes (leave whole or slice in half)
The sweet and juicy cherry tomatoes provide a pop of freshness and color. As they cook in the casserole, their juices infuse the dish with a subtle sweetness that contrasts beautifully with the savory flavors. Cutting them in half allows their juices to mingle with the sauce, creating a delightful burst of flavor in each bite.
1/2 lemon (juice of)
A squeeze of fresh lemon juice adds brightness and acidity to the dish, helping to cut through the richness of the cream and cheese. The tangy citrus flavor enhances the other ingredients and brings a refreshing contrast to the savory elements.

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Italian seasoning is a classic blend of herbs—usually oregano, basil, rosemary, and thyme. It imparts a fragrant, herby note that is quintessential to Tuscan flavors. This seasoning mix brings depth to the dish without overpowering the other ingredients.
1/2 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
Salt is essential for bringing out the flavors in the dish. Start with half a teaspoon and adjust according to your taste preferences. The amount of salt you need may vary depending on how salty your stock and cheese are.
1 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper
Freshly cracked black pepper adds a mild heat and depth of flavor that balances the richness of the dish. It’s best to use freshly cracked pepper for the most aromatic result.
Optional: 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (if not using fresh garlic)
If you don’t have fresh garlic on hand, garlic powder is a convenient substitute. It adds a more subtle garlic flavor, but if you’re using fresh garlic, you can skip this ingredient.

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Instructions

Preheat the oven and prepare the casserole dish
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven heats up, spray a 9×13 casserole dish with non-stick spray to prevent the dish from sticking and make cleanup easier.
Combine the ingredients in the casserole dish
In the prepared casserole dish, add the dry orzo, cooked chicken, chicken stock, heavy cream, garlic, Italian seasoning, spinach, tomatoes, lemon juice, and half of each of the cheeses. Mix everything together thoroughly, ensuring that all the ingredients are evenly distributed and the orzo is submerged in the liquid.
Top with the remaining cheese
Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the top of the casserole. This will create a golden, cheesy crust once it bakes in the oven.
Bake
Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes. The orzo should be tender, and the top should be bubbly and golden. If the dish looks too liquidy, don’t worry—just let it sit for about 10 minutes after baking. This allows the liquid to be absorbed and the casserole to set up.
Serve and enjoy
After the casserole has rested for about 10 minutes, give it a good stir with a large spoon to mix everything together. Serve hot, paired with a light salad or your favorite side dish. The cheesy, creamy orzo, tender chicken, and fresh spinach will melt in your mouth with every bite.

Notes

Vegetarian Version: To make this dish vegetarian, simply omit the chicken and add more vegetables. Mushrooms, zucchini, and artichoke hearts would all make great additions. You could also toss in some white beans for extra protein.
Different Proteins: If you’re not a fan of chicken, this recipe works well with other proteins. Try using cooked sausage, turkey, or even shrimp for a seafood twist.
Cheese Options: Feel free to mix up the cheeses! If you prefer a sharper taste, try adding a bit of gouda or cheddar. For a more luxurious texture, substitute the mozzarella with provolone or fontina.
Add More Veggies: If you want to pack in more vegetables, feel free to add mushrooms, bell peppers, or even sun-dried tomatoes. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time slightly to accommodate for the moisture content of the veggies.
Gluten-Free Option: For a gluten-free version, substitute the orzo with a gluten-free pasta variety. There are many gluten-free pasta options available that would work well in this casserole.

Author: Rosa
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes