Creamy Garlic Butter Pepper Jack Chicken (Printable)
Tender chicken and orzo in a rich garlic butter sauce with spicy Pepper Jack cheese and fresh spinach.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 1 teaspoon paprika
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Orzo & Aromatics
05 - 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta (uncooked)
06 - 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 5 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
→ Liquids & Creaminess
09 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 cup whole milk
11 - 1/3 cup heavy cream
→ Cheese & Finish
12 - 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
13 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
14 - 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley (optional)
15 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# Steps:
01 - Season the chicken pieces with paprika, salt, and black pepper, coating evenly.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the chicken until golden brown and cooked through, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove to a plate and set aside.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Melt the remaining butter in the skillet. Add garlic and onion, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Stir in orzo pasta, toasting lightly for 1 minute to enhance nutty flavor.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and milk, stirring well to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
06 - Bring to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes until orzo is mostly tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
07 - Stir in heavy cream and cooked chicken. Add spinach and Pepper Jack cheese, stirring until spinach wilts and cheese melts completely, 2 to 3 minutes.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges on the side.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything happens in one pan so you spend less time cleaning and more time eating
- The orzo cooks directly in the creamy sauce, absorbing all that garlicky, cheesy flavor as it simmers
02 -
- The orzo continues absorbing liquid as it sits, so if you are not serving right away, keep a splash of warm milk or broth handy to loosen it up
- Pepper Jack cheese varies by brand in heat level, so taste your sauce after adding the cheese and adjust with red pepper flakes if you want more spice
03 -
- Pat your chicken completely dry before seasoning, otherwise it will steam instead of getting that gorgeous golden sear
- Grate your own Pepper Jack from a block instead of buying pre shredded cheese for the smoothest melt