Chicken Orzo Bake

We eat chicken for dinner at least once a week in our house. But I have a confession to make: I don’t really like the flavor of leftover chicken, and with a family of three, we end up with plenty of leftovers more often than not. Therefore, I’m always looking for tasty leftover chicken recipes, and so many of them end up being chicken casserole dishes.

This chicken orzo bake recipe is a particular favorite because it takes hardly any time to put together, and it’s incredibly flavorful to boot. The secret to this chicken and orzo bake is a package of garlic-and-herb Boursin cheese. Nestled in the center of the casserole as it bakes, the cheese melts into a delicious, flavorful cream sauce.

Ingredients for Chicken Orzo Bake

• Cooked shredded chicken: This orzo chicken bake recipe is a perfect way to use up leftover chicken breast or thighs. It’s also an excellent way to use a store-bought rotisserie chicken.
• Orzo pasta: Though it’s similar in appearance to rice, orzo is a tiny pasta made from semolina flour and eggs.
• Low-sodium chicken stock: Use homemade chicken stock or use your favorite brand of chicken broth.
• Seasoning: This chicken and orzo bake is seasoned with a combination of garlic powder, dried oregano, salt and pepper.
• Boursin cheese: This soft cheese is packed with garlic and fresh herb flavors, melting into a delicious creamy sauce as the orzo chicken casserole bakes.
• Grape tomatoes: Whole grape tomatoes add a burst of fresh tomato flavor to the orzo chicken bake. Although, you can halve the tomatoes if you prefer.
• Baby spinach: Stir the baby spinach into the chicken and orzo bake near the end of the cooking time, allowing it to wilt and meld with the other ingredients.
• Parmesan: Freshly grated Parmesan is used to garnish the chicken orzo bake before serving.

Directions

Step 1: Prep the casserole

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Coat a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Add the chicken, orzo, chicken stock, garlic powder, dried oregano, salt and pepper. Stir to combine.

Place the Boursin cheese in the center of the baking dish. Evenly top with the grape tomatoes.

Editor’s Tip: Ensure all the orzo is submerged in the broth so that it cooks all the way through in the oven.

Step 2: Bake

Tightly cover the casserole dish with foil. Bake for 30 minutes.

Step 3: Add the spinach

Remove the foil and add the baby spinach leaves. Stir to combine all the ingredients. Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the orzo is tender. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese to serve.

Chicken Orzo Bake Variations

• Use sun-dried tomatoes: For a rich and savory tomato flavor, use sun-dried tomatoes in place of fresh grape tomatoes.
• Roast the tomatoes: Coat the casserole dish with olive oil, then add the grape tomatoes and toss to coat them in the oil. Roast in a 425°F oven for 20 minutes. Then continue with the recipe as written, stirring in the rest of the ingredients with the roasted tomatoes.
• Make a cream sauce: Although the Boursin melts into a delicious savory and herb-flavored cream sauce, you can skip the Boursin and make your own cream sauce. For an easy substitution, use an 8-ounce block of plain or savory-flavored cream cheese in place of the Boursin. Alternately, stir in 3/4 to 1 cup of heavy cream with the rest of the ingredients before baking.

How to Store Chicken Orzo Bake

Transfer leftover chicken orzo bake to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.

How long does chicken orzo bake last?

Chicken orzo bake lasts up to four days when stored properly in the fridge.

Can you freeze chicken orzo bake?

Yes, you can freeze chicken orzo bake either as a whole casserole or as individual portions. Freeze for up to three months. Allow the casserole to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How should you reheat chicken orzo bake?

The easiest way to reheat individual portions is in the microwave. Transfer to a microwave-safe dish, cover and cook for 1-1/2 minutes or until heated through. For larger portions or an entire casserole, sprinkle with vegetable broth, cover with foil and bake in a preheated 350° oven for 30 to 45 minutes or until heated through.

Chicken Orzo Bake Tips

How can you make chicken orzo bake even creamier?

For an even creamer chicken orzo bake, stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream with the rest of the ingredients before baking.

What should you serve with chicken orzo bake?

Serve this chicken orzo bake alongside a flavorful vegetable side such as pan-roasted asparagus, garlic roasted Brussels sprouts or Italian green beans. Fresh baked garlic bread is also always a good idea!