Weeknight meals don’t have to feel rushed. Picture this: a skillet simmering gently, the aroma of garlic and crispy chicken skin filling your kitchen. Skillet Chicken Thighs with Broccoli Cheddar Orzo brings warmth, comfort, and simplicity to your table, just when you need it most.
You’ll love how this Skillet Chicken Thighs with Broccoli Cheddar Orzo delivers bold flavor in one easy skillet. It’s the kind of dinner that makes you slow down and savor.
Table of Contents
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, pantry-friendly ingredients you can grab anytime.
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 lbs total)
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 oz dried orzo (half a standard box)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or water + bouillon)
- 1 lb broccoli florets, cut to 1-inch pieces
- 1 1/2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, for seasoning
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare and Season the Chicken
Pat your chicken thighs dry. This helps the skin get crispy. Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Sear the Chicken for Crispy Skin
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down. Sear for about 4–5 minutes until golden and crisp. Flip and sear another 4–5 minutes. Remove to a plate.
3. Sauté Aromatics and Toast Orzo
Reduce heat slightly. Add remaining olive oil. Stir in diced onion. Cook until soft and translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in orzo and toast for 3–4 minutes, stirring often. Then add garlic. Cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Simmer with Broth and Return Chicken
Deglaze pan with chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Scrape up any browned bits — that’s flavor! Then return chicken thighs to skillet. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 8 minutes.
5. Add Broccoli and Finish Cooking
Scatter broccoli florets over chicken and orzo. Cover again and cook another 12 minutes. Check that chicken reaches 165°F and broccoli is tender.
6. Stir in Cheddar and Serve
Remove chicken to a plate. Stir shredded cheddar into orzo and broccoli until creamy and melted. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve chicken thighs on top of cheesy orzo.
Tips for Doubling the Recipe
Cooking for a crowd? Use a 6-quart Dutch oven to double this recipe. Brown chicken in batches so they sear evenly. Cooking times stay the same, so it’s easy.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store leftover Skillet Chicken Thighs with Broccoli Cheddar Orzo separately in airtight containers. The chicken crisps up best when reheated in an air fryer. The orzo can be gently reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of broth to keep it creamy. Enjoy your Skillet Chicken Thighs with Broccoli Cheddar Orzo within 3 days for the best flavor and texture.
Skillet Chicken Thighs with Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Recipe Card
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Comforting Skillet Chicken Thighs with Broccoli Cheddar Orzo
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
Crispy skillet chicken thighs simmered with cheesy broccoli orzo — an easy, cozy weeknight meal.
Ingredients
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 lbs total)
4 tbsp olive oil, divided
1/2 cup diced yellow onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz dried orzo
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or water + bouillon)
1 lb broccoli florets, cut to 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
1. Pat chicken dry; season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down 4–5 mins per side. Remove to plate.
3. Add 2 tbsp olive oil. Sauté onion until soft, 3 mins.
4. Stir in orzo; toast 3–4 mins.
5. Add garlic; cook 1 min.
6. Deglaze with chicken broth. Bring to boil.
7. Return chicken; reduce heat; cover and simmer 8 mins.
8. Add broccoli on top. Cover and cook 12 mins until chicken reaches 165°F and broccoli is tender.
9. Remove chicken; stir in cheddar until creamy.
10. Adjust seasoning and serve.
Notes
Recipe can be doubled using 6-quart Dutch oven; brown chicken in batches.
Store chicken thighs and orzo separately in airtight containers.
Reheat chicken in air fryer; orzo on stovetop or microwave.
Consume leftovers within 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Chicken Recipes
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 898
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 54g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 30g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 60g
- Cholesterol: 210mg
More Such Recipes
If you love cozy chicken dinners, check out these next:
Try these oven-baked chicken thighs for easy weeknight meals for minimal cleanup.
Craving pasta? My creamy chicken pesto pasta recipe is also perfect for weeknights.
Or go bold with this garlic parmesan chicken packed with flavor — so satisfying.
Need a lunch option? Make cheesy chicken garlic wraps perfect for lunch.
FAQs
Can I use boneless chicken thighs instead?
Absolutely. Boneless thighs cook a bit faster, so check for doneness around 15 minutes total. Reduce broth slightly since there’s less fat rendering.
What type of cheddar works best?
Sharp cheddar is ideal here. It brings a deep, savory richness. Freshly shredded melts best and gives the orzo a creamy texture.
How do I prevent the orzo from sticking?
Make sure to stir the orzo as it toasts and again after adding broth. Also, keep an eye on liquid levels and add a splash more broth if needed.
Final Thoughts
This Skillet Chicken Thighs with Broccoli Cheddar Orzo recipe proves that comfort food can still be easy and practical. The crispy chicken, creamy cheesy orzo, and tender broccoli make a meal you’ll want on repeat. Try this Skillet Chicken Thighs with Broccoli Cheddar Orzo this week — and if you do, leave a comment or rating to let me know how it turned out!
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