I LOVE me a one-pan meal. It’s easy, comforting, and packed with flavor—and this One-Pan Chicken Dinner with Orzo, Sun-dried Tomatoes, & Burrata is no exception.

Growing up, my mom loved one-pan recipes for their simplicity and ease of cleanup, and I’ve carried that tradition into my own kitchen. But this isn’t your average one-pan dish. With crispy, golden chicken thighs, fragrant rosemary, and creamy burrata, it feels like something you’d find at a cozy Italian restruant rather than your own stovetop.

What makes this dish truly special is the combination of textures and flavors: toasted orzo, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, rich chicken broth, and that indulgent final touch of melted burrata. It’s hearty enough for a weeknight dinner yet elegant enough to serve to guests with a glass of wine and some Dean Martin playing in the background….now I’m day dreaming.

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Tips for Success

1️⃣ Crisp That Chicken: Searing the chicken skin-side down first ensures crispy, golden skin and a deeper flavor for the entire dish.

2️⃣ Toast the Orzo: Don’t skip toasting the orzo! It adds a nutty depth of flavor and prevents it from becoming mushy as it cooks.

3️⃣ Deglaze the Pan: Use white wine (or chicken broth) to scrape up all those golden bits at the bottom of the pan—this is where the magic happens.

4️⃣ Serve Immediately: This dish is best enjoyed right out of the pan while the burrata is gooey and melted.


One-Pan Chicken Dinner with Orzo

Ingredients:

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes (in oil), cut into strips
  • ½ lb orzo
  • ⅓ cup white wine (or chicken broth as a substitute)
  • 3–3 ½ cups chicken broth
  • ½ cup grated Parmigiano
  • 1 small burrata
  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel.
  2. In a small bowl, combine rosemary, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and olive oil. Brush the mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken thighs.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

  1. Heat a large, deep skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat.
  2. Place the chicken skin-side down in the pan and sear for 5–6 minutes per side, or until deeply golden and crispy. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

Step 3: Build the Base

  1. In the same pan, add the chopped shallot and garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
  2. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and orzo, toasting the orzo for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.

Step 4: Deglaze the Pan

  1. Pour in the white wine (or chicken broth if substituting). Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  2. Add the chicken broth and stir to combine.

Step 5: Cook the Chicken & Orzo

  1. Return the chicken thighs, along with any juices they’ve released, to the pan. Nestle them into the orzo mixture.
  2. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 5–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and the chicken is fully cooked (internal temp 165°F/74°C).

Step 6: Finish with Cheese

  1. Stir in the grated Parmigiano.
  2. Top with whole slices of burrata and fresh basil leaves. Let the burrata melt and bubble for 1–2 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Pair this dish with a crisp glass of white wine and a simple arugula salad for a complete meal. If you’re hosting, set the mood with some Italian music for that trattoria vibe.

One-Pan Chicken Dinner with Orzo

This one-pan chicken dinner recipe with orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, and creamy burrata is the ultimate cozy, flavor-packed meal. Perfect for weeknights or entertaining guests!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Save This Recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients 

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 shallot, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, in oil, cut into strips
  • ½ lb orzo
  • cup white wine, or chicken broth as a substitute
  • 3 –3 ½ cups chicken broth
  • ½ cup grated Parmigiano
  • 1 small burrata
  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions 

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

  • Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel.
  • In a small bowl, combine rosemary, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and olive oil. Brush the mixture evenly over both sides of the chicken thighs.

Step 2: Sear the Chicken

  • Heat a large, deep skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat.
  • Place the chicken skin-side down in the pan and sear for 5–6 minutes per side, or until deeply golden and crispy. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

Step 3: Build the Base

  • In the same pan, add the chopped shallot and garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute, until fragrant.
  • Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and orzo, toasting the orzo for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden.

Step 4: Deglaze the Pan

  • Pour in the white wine (or chicken broth if substituting). Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  • Add the chicken broth and stir to combine.

Step 5: Cook the Chicken & Orzo

  • Return the chicken thighs, along with any juices they’ve released, to the pan. Nestle them into the orzo mixture.
  • Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 5–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and the chicken is fully cooked (internal temp 165°F/74°C).

Step 6: Finish with Cheese

  • Stir in the grated Parmigiano.
  • Top with whole slices of burrata and fresh basil leaves. Let the burrata melt and bubble for 1–2 minutes.

Tried It? Let Me Know!

I’d love to see your recreations of this cozy one-pan meal. Tag me @flavorsbyalessandra on Instagram and share your thoughts in the comments below. Buon Appetito! ❤️


Bonus: Why Burrata Is the Perfect Finish

Burrata elevates this dish from delicious to extraordinary. Its creamy interior contrasts beautifully with the crispy chicken and al dente orzo, creating a balanced bite every time. For the best experience, serve the dish as soon as the burrata melts—it’s a crowd-pleaser you’ll want to make again and again!

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Alessandra Ciuffo

Alessandra Ciuffo is chef, creator, storyteller, and food educator. The focus of her content is on culinary education, family, travel, and lifestyle.

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1 Comment

  1. Dolores Ussery says:

    This looks delicious & will try this weekend! Thank you I love Italian dishes!