Print

Monterey Chicken One-Pan Orzo Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 137 reviews

Monterey Chicken One-Pan Orzo is a comforting and creamy casserole combining tender rotisserie chicken, fresh spinach, and cheesy Monterey Jack flavors baked to golden perfection with a crispy fried onion topping. This easy-to-make dish comes together in a single pan, making it perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner or family meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Base and Cream Sauce

  • 1 (10.5 oz) can cream of chicken with herbs
  • 16 oz container sour cream
  • 2.5 cups chicken stock
  • 5 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon freshly cracked pepper

Main Ingredients

  • 3 cups fresh spinach leaves, torn (or 1 – 10 oz box frozen chopped spinach, thawed)
  • 16 oz dry orzo pasta
  • 3 cups Monterey Jack cheese, freshly grated
  • 2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded

Topping

  • 1 (6 oz) can French’s crispy fried onions

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking dish and preheat oven: Grease a 9×13 inch casserole dish using nonstick cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) for even cooking and browning.
  2. Mix the cream sauce base: In the casserole dish itself, combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and chicken stock. Add minced garlic, all-purpose seasoning, salt, and freshly cracked pepper. Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is smooth, creamy, and free of lumps to ensure an even sauce throughout the dish.
  3. Add spinach, chicken, cheese, and orzo: Stir in the torn fresh spinach (or thawed frozen spinach), shredded rotisserie chicken, half of the grated Monterey Jack cheese, and all of the dry orzo pasta. Whisk well to evenly combine all ingredients and fully incorporate the orzo into the creamy liquid, making sure everything is distributed uniformly in the casserole dish.
  4. Top with remaining cheese and fried onions: Sprinkle the remaining half of the Monterey Jack cheese evenly over the casserole. Carefully spread an even layer of French’s crispy fried onions on top to add a crunchy, golden crust when baked.
  5. Bake the casserole: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. After this initial baking, remove the foil and continue baking uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbly, indicating the orzo is cooked through and the flavors have melded beautifully.

Notes

  • All-purpose seasoning typically includes a blend of dried herbs and spices; you can substitute with your favorite herb mix if needed.
  • If using frozen spinach, be sure to thaw and drain it thoroughly to prevent excess moisture in the casserole.
  • Rotisserie chicken adds convenient pre-cooked flavor but you can use cooked chicken breast or thighs shredded as well.
  • The crispy fried onions add a delicious crunchy texture; feel free to add more or less according to preference.
  • For a spicier kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the cream sauce.

Keywords: Monterey Chicken, One-Pan Meal, Orzo Casserole, Creamy Chicken Bake, Rotisserie Chicken Recipe, Easy Dinner Casserole

Find it online: https://nayabaker.com/monterey-chicken-one-pan-orzo-recipe/