Chicken Orzo Bake with Lemon and Parmesan

This Creamy Chicken Orzo Bake is an easy one-pan dinner made with tender chicken thighs, orzo pasta, lemon, and parmesan in a rich, savory sauce. Cozy, comforting, and perfect for busy weeknights, it's a meal that feels special without extra effort. It lands somewhere between a creamy pasta bake and a comforting chicken skillet, making it ideal for an easy but impressive weeknight meal like the Italian Breaded Chicken.

Variations

• Gluten-Free - Use a gluten-free orzo and keep the rest of the recipe the same. During testing, gluten-free orzo worked best when stirred well before baking and checked a few minutes early, as it tends to absorb liquid more quickly than traditional orzo.
• Dairy - Substitute half-and-half or whole milk for the heavy cream for a lighter finish. The sauce will be looser but still flavorful. For dairy-free, full-fat coconut milk or Nutpods Half & Half produced the best texture during testing without overwhelming the lemon.
• Greek Twist - For a Mediterranean twist, season the chicken with salt, pepper, oregano, and garlic, then stir in sliced kalamata olives after baking. Finish with crumbled feta instead of extra Parmesan for a briny, bright contrast that pairs beautifully with the lemon and thyme.
• Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Version - Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce before baking and finish the dish with fresh basil instead of thyme. This version tested well when using oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, which added richness without overpowering the sauce.

• Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Thighs - Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are the foundation of this chicken orzo bake. During testing, they consistently produced the most flavorful and tender results. As the chicken bakes, the skin helps lock in moisture while the bone adds richness to the sauce underneath. Boneless chicken thighs or breasts will work if needed, but I found that they cook too fast and don't contribute enough flavor.
• Orzo Pasta - Orzo is ideal for this one-pan dish because of how evenly it cooks and absorbs flavor. In testing, its small shape allowed the pasta to soak up the lemony cream sauce, without becoming heavy or mushy, and created a spoonable texture. I tested with larger pasta shapes but they required more liquid and longer cooking times and didn't integrate as nicely with the sauce. I also tested using orzo with my Tomato Feta Pasta, and it was delicious.
• Lemon (Zest and Juice) - Lemon keeps this creamy chicken orzo bake balanced. Using both the zest and juice made a noticeable difference during testing. The zest adds bright, aromatic citrus flavor, while the juice cuts through the richness of the cream and parmesan. Skipping the zest or using only bottled juice resulted in a flatter, heavier-tasting dish, so fresh lemon is well worth using.

See the recipe card for quantities.

How To Make Chicken Orzo Bake: Step-By-Step

Here are some quick visual instructions. Remember that full instructions with the exact ingredients are in the printable recipe card:

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Season the chicken and place the thighs skin down in the skillet for 3-4 minutes or until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 2 minutes and then remove the chicken and set aside.

Step 2: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining salt, chicken broth, cream, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, and thyme. Stir and then add the orzo. Bring the mixture to a low boil. Stir well.

Step 3: Add the chicken back to the skillet. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes.

Step 4: Remove the thighs from the skillet. Stir in the spinach and allow it to wilt into the sauce. Place the thighs back into the skillet. Let it stand for 5 minutes before garnishing with the additional cheese.