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One Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken and Zucchini Orzo. Pan-seared honey Dijon chicken with garlic herb butter, cooked together with orzo pasta, fresh summer zucchini, and mozzarella, for an all-in-one dinner. Then go that extra step and serve this drizzled with delicious golden brown butter made with Italian seasoning. A dinner that everyone at the table will love.
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I really do love this time of year. I forget just how nice it can be with all the fresh produce and longer days. Itโs such a welcomed change from the short days of fall and winter. Iโm soaking up every minute because before we know it, fall will be here.
The only thing I do wish we had is a real garden full of fresh herbs, tomatoes, zucchini, and maybe even some peppers too. Living where we live, it takes a little too much tender loving care for us to have real growth. So we stuck to just herbs this year, which I do, of course, love.
Still, Iโm missing the real produce of summer! Of course, we do have Whole Foods to keep me stocked. Theyโve had the prettiest zucchini and yellow summer squash this season. I picked up more than I really know what to do with, so this is me using it up!
Some of the inspiration for this recipe came from an older meatball recipe of mine. This time, I went with this simple skillet chicken and orzo.
Itโs going to be a staple through September. The garlic butter really makes this special!
Here are the steps
Step 1: season and cook the chickenย
Toss the chicken breasts or chicken thighs with olive oil, Italian seasoning, Dijon mustard, and honey. The Italian seasoning is the secret. It really adds so much flavor without having to add additional ingredients.
Now get a big oven-safe skillet. Sear the chicken on either side until itโs lightly golden. Then, remove everything from the large skillet.
Step 2: the orzo
When the chicken is out of the skillet, add the butter and orzo. Then add the garlic and fresh herbs. I like to cook the orzo in the butter until itโs lightly toasted.
Pour in some wine and water.
Step 3: finish the dish
Next, add the chicken right back to the skillet. Then take some mozzarella and arrange it around the chicken.
Alrighty โ and now you bake. This will take about 10-15 minutes in the oven.
Step 4: the garlic butter (optional โ uses one more skillet, but worth it!)
While the chicken cooks, add butter to a skillet with additional Italian seasoning and thyme. If you want, add some extra garlic here too.
Let the butter sautรฉ and get to a light golden color.
Serve the orzo and chicken with garlic butter and I love topping with fresh basil. YUM.
This simple skillet dinner is such a crowd-pleaser. It comes out of the oven looking pretty but smelling and tasting even more delicious. Iโm pretty sure you all will love this summer meal!
Looking for other easy weeknight dinners? Here are some favorites.
Easy Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Souvlaki and Potatoes
Browned Garlic Butter Creamed Corn Cheese Ravioli
One Skillet Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Bake
One Skillet Lemon Butter Dijon Chicken and Orzo with Feta Sauce
Lastly, if you make this Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken and Zucchini Orzo, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, donโt forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Skillet Garlic Butter Chicken and Zucchini Orzo
Ingredientsย
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons honey
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
- 6 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 shallots, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 3 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 2 cups dry orzo pasta
- 2 zucchini, thinly sliced
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese
Instructionsย
- 1. Preheat oven to 400ยฐ F.2. In a bowl, mix the chicken with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning, Dijon mustard, honey, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. 3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken. Sear on both sides until golden, 3-5 minutes. Remove everything from the skillet.4. To the skillet, add 2 tablespoons butter, the orzo, shallots, garlic, and 2 tablespoons thyme. Mix in the zucchini slices. Cook until the orzo is toasted, about 2 minutes. Add the wine and 2 cups water.ย Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat. Slide the chicken and any juices left on the plate back into the skillet.ย Arrange the cheese around the chicken. Bake, uncovered for 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.5. Meanwhile, lightly brown 4 tablespoons butter in a small skillet. Add 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning and 1 tablespoon of thyme. Season with salt, pepper, and chili flakes. ย 6. Serve the chicken and orzo topped with garlic butter and fresh herbs.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
Hi! I am confused on where the garlic butter comes from. I donโt see garlic listed to add to the melted butter in the skillet but see where we add the garlic to the orzo skillet. Should we be adding more garlic or garlic powder to the butter at the end? I reread of a few times and hope Iโm not just missing it.
Hi Tiffany,
The garlic is added in step 4. Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe!
Amazing! Your recipes are the only ones that always get a “Tasty” from my wife. You are a Taste Wizard!!
Hey Guy,
Awesome! Thanks so much for trying this recipe, love to hear it was enjoyed!
Have the best weekend!
You did it again! Made this for company and everyone LOVED IT!! The flavor profiles you create are amazing! Thanks for helping me fill bellies on the regular. It’s my love language!
Hey Susan,
Awesome! Love to hear you enjoyed this recipe, thanks for making it and taking the time to leave feedback.
Have a great weekend!
We made this last night and loved it! I substituted feta for the mozzarella, and we topped each plate with some blistered cherry tomatoes tossed in sherry vinegar, which added that brightness and acidity some commenters mentioned was missing. Will definitely make again, and maybe switch out some different veggies depending on the season!
Hey Shanna,
Thanks so much! I appreciate you making this recipe and taking the time to comment. So glad it was enjoyed!
Is there zuchini?
Hi Donna,
Yes, the recipe calls for 2 zucchini, thinly sliced and is used in step 4. Please let me know if you have any other questions!
Did I see prosciutto? Saw what looked like it on the video, but it’s not mentioned in the recipe.
Can’t wait to try this!
Hey Susan,
So sorry, there is no prosciutto in this recipe. Please let me know if I can help in any other way!
Instead of baking, can I continue cooking on stove to finish it off?
Hi Katie,
Yes, that should also work nicely for you. I hope you love this recipe, please let me know if you give it a try!
This was delicious!! So good and the best part so easy! Love the one pot recipes. Thank you!
Hey Racquel,
Happy Friday! Thank you so much for giving this recipe a try and sharing your thoughtsโso happy it worked for you!
Became of my familyโs favorites immediately! Make it on repeat!!
Hey there,
Perfect! So glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you, thanks a bunch for making it!
My kids and I loved this. Easy hearty Sunday night meal.
Hey Evan,
Fantastic! I’m so glad to hear this recipe turned out well for you!
Thanks for giving it a try and your comment! Have a great week ahead!
Absolutely delicious and so easy to make. It also looks amazing and we all know we eat with our eyes first.
I omitted the cheese and the butter sauce but it was still perfect!
My dish looked just as beautiful as Tieghanโs!
Hey Monique,
Iโm grateful you tried the recipe and took the time to comment. Delighted it turned out! Happy Sunday!
This is so good and comes together so easily! I’ve made it twice and my husband and I both love it! Thank you!!
Love to hear it, Heather! Thanks a lot for making this recipe and your comment! Have the best day!
Really needs brightness. Just blah. Maybe feta instead of Mozz. And really beads some lemon. Do not recommend.
Hey Robin, Thanks for trying this recipe and sharing your feedback, so sorry to hear it was not enjoyed! xx