Creamy Garlic Butter Pepper Jack Chicken (Print version)
A luscious one-pan dish with tender chicken, creamy orzo, vibrant spinach, and decadent garlic butter with spicy Pepper Jack.
# What you'll need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 1 tsp paprika
03 - 1/2 tsp salt
04 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Orzo & Aromatics
05 - 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta (uncooked)
06 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter
07 - 5 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
→ Liquids & Creaminess
09 - 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
10 - 1 cup whole milk
11 - 1/3 cup heavy cream
→ Cheese & Finish
12 - 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
13 - 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
14 - 2 tbsp freshly chopped parsley (optional)
15 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# Method:
01 - Evenly coat chicken cubes with paprika, salt, and black pepper, ensuring all pieces are thoroughly seasoned.
02 - Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 5–6 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Melt remaining butter in the skillet. Add garlic and onion, cooking until fragrant and translucent, about 2–3 minutes.
04 - Stir orzo into the skillet, toasting lightly for 1 minute to enhance nutty flavor.
05 - Pour in chicken broth and whole milk, stirring continuously to deglaze the skillet and incorporate any browned bits from the bottom.
06 - Bring mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo is tender and most liquid has been absorbed.
07 - Stir in heavy cream and cooked chicken. Add spinach and Pepper Jack cheese, stirring until spinach wilts and cheese melts completely, 2–3 minutes.
08 - Taste and adjust seasoning as desired. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan so you can spend more time eating and less time scrubbing
- The Pepper Jack adds this gentle heat that keeps everyone coming back for seconds
- Its the kind of comfort food that somehow feels fancy enough for company
02 -
- The orzo continues thickening as it sits so dont panic if it looks a little loose at first
- Pepper Jack heat levels vary so give it a taste before adding extra red pepper flakes
- Keep stirring during the simmer stage or the orzo will stick to the bottom of the pan
03 -
- Cut your chicken into uniform pieces so everything cooks at the same rate
- Pre shred your cheese from a block for the smoothest melt