Pin it
Whenever I crave something gooey and stress-free, this Monterey Chicken One-Pan Orzo is what I turn to. You just toss it all in one baking dish, shove it in the oven, and pull out a cheesy dinner with basically no fuss. It's a lifesaver for those evenings when I've got zero energy to wash dishes, and everyone always eats it up.
The first time I whipped this up was after my kids begged for something melty and warm post-soccer, and now it’s on our table all the time because absolutely nobody has leftovers. They clear it out.
Cheesy Ingredients
- Rotisserie chicken: Grabbing a ready-cooked chicken saves time and gives you loads of juicy flavor but just use any leftover cooked chicken if that's what you've got
- Frenchs crispy fried onions: Toss these over the top for that toasty crunch that makes the whole thing pop
- Monterey jack cheese: Shred it yourself for the best melt or swap in another mild cheese if needed
- Dry orzo: Use dry orzo so it soaks up all the sauce and stays perfectly tender
- Fresh spinach leaves: Rip up spinach for color or just throw in some thawed frozen spinach if you’re short on time
- Salt and freshly cracked pepper: Adds just the right kick of seasoning to punch up the dish
- All-purpose seasoning: Choose your favorite blend for a boost or go with homemade if you're feeling it
- Garlic cloves: Chop up fresh garlic for the best bang but jarred garlic works in a pinch
- Chicken stock: Stock gives it more depth and keeps everything moist use homemade or store-bought as long as it's not too salty
- Sour cream: Full-fat sour cream keeps the orzo creamy with a little tang
- Cream of chicken with herbs: This is the shortcut for flavor plus creaminess try to get the lower-salt kind if you like
Easy Instructions
- Bake uncovered till golden and bubbly:
- Take off the foil and bake for another ten to fifteen minutes until it looks deep golden up top and the edges are nice and bubbly
- Add toppings and cover:
- Evenly shower on the rest of your shredded cheese plus all the crispy onions then wrap the casserole tightly with foil and bake it at 350 for twenty-five minutes
- Stir in orzo chicken and spinach:
- Toss in your orzo, half the cheese, chopped or torn spinach, and shredded chicken. Make sure every piece is mixed in so nothing stays dry
- Blend the creamy sauce base:
- In your casserole dish dump in the cream of chicken, sour cream, chicken stock, garlic, the seasoning, pepper, and salt. Whisk it well until it looks smooth
- Prep your pan:
- Rub the baking dish with butter or give it a shot of nonstick spray to keep everything from sticking and to add flavor
Pin it
One time my daughter was all about sprinkling those fried onions on top and we cracked up at how every spoonful was extra crispy. Now she always claims onion-duty when we make this together.
Best Storage Advice
Keep leftover portions tightly covered in your fridge up to four days. Reheat by zapping single servings in the microwave or pop it back in the oven with foil for about fifteen minutes at 350. You can assemble the whole thing the night before and just bake it off when you need it.
Swap Options
No Monterey jack? Use mozzarella or cheddar instead. Instead of spinach you can toss in kale or even frozen peas. Any cooked chicken works—leftovers from grilling night are perfect.
Pin it
Tasty Pairings
Honestly you don’t need much else but I love adding a crisp green salad or some roasted broccoli. I usually put the casserole right on the table and let everyone dig in family style.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I swap in chicken breast that's already cooked instead of using rotisserie?
Yep, just shred up cooked chicken breast. Make sure it doesn't dry out so your meal stays juicy.
- → Should the orzo be pre-cooked or tossed in dry?
Throw the orzo in without cooking it first. It'll suck up all that creamy goodness as it bakes in the oven.
- → Can I toss in frozen spinach if that's what I have?
For sure. Just let it thaw and squeeze out any water before you add it in.
- → Out of crispy fried onions? What's another crunchy topping?
Try sprinkling on some crushed crackers, toasted breadcrumbs, or any other crunchy snack on top. Works just fine!
- → What's the best way to keep and reheat leftovers?
Spoon leftovers into a sealed container and stick it in your fridge. Heat it up in the microwave or oven later.
- → Can I prep this ahead of time?
You bet. Get it ready in the pan, cover, and stash in the fridge. Bake it fresh when you're ready, giving it a few extra minutes if it's cold.