Chicken and Broccoli Orzo Bake

UMMMMMMMM. (insert all the dead emojis)

Okay, I feel like I know you. I feel like I know when you’re going to really like something. I feel like when I really like and love something it’s like, oh yeah they’re going to really like and love this. In conclusion, I feel like I know you’re really going to like and love this. I feel like I know you.

(did you get all that?)

But I must come clean about something. Because I don’t care, I’m a closet lover, and there must be a small handful of closet lovers out there too, in regards to this specific ingredient, because we’re in a pandemic and it’s fine.

Let us peepeth.

First of all, only a handful of ingredients! I know you can dig this.

Secondly, yes we’re using cream of mushroom soup. We totally are. I checked the ingredients on the can and neither guilt, shame nor regret were on it, so. Plus, it’s old-school! And adds that creaminess that reminds me of the ’80s. Dunchew come @ me.

So for the broccoli, just give it quick pulse in your food processor. You want the texture to be a bit crumbly. Broccoli gravel. We want broccoli gravel. I promise, it’s brilliant in the bake.

Then in a big bowl you’ll whisk together two cups chicken stock and the cream of mushroom soup. We need a liquid for the orzo to absorb into, but we still want casserole creaminess. You dig?

It’s blurry because that’s just where we are in life.

You’ve chopped up your chicken tenders into little chunkers, by the way. Then you just combine everything in that big bowl and give it a good stir. The uncooked orzo, broccoli gravel, chicken chunkers, garlic and onion powder, a good pinch of salt. Get it aaaaaaall evenly mixed. ‘Atta goil.

“Bev, why is your cheese a different color than the one in the ingredient photo up there?

Hmm? What? Oh, you noticed that? Well, pigeons, remember when I made this at the v beginning of the year and it failed? That’s because of two stupid and dumb things. First – my dish was too deep and everything was too watery. Secondly, it was Monterey Jack cheese (I have no idea what happened to my brain) and pulled away from the sides so violently that it looked like the floating ice sheet in Elf with Will Ferrell standing on it.

Moral of the story, go with a medium cheddar like a normal person would do.

Because look.

Dude, are you seeing the tiny speckles of baked broccoli gravel in that? Yes you are.

The orzo cooks until plumped and toothy, the chicken is tender and succulent, the broccoli is earthy and soft, and you do remember the cream of mushroom soup, right? M A G I C and I’ll never be sorry.

The thing is, this mess is everybody friendly. Will and Nat snarfed it. Aaron scraped the cheese back with only minor grumbles, and I went bonkers postal on it.

It’s homey, it’s old fashioned, it’s simple, it’s crazy flavorful with the onion and garlic powders.

Let’s see what it looks like when we serve, okay?

Day-ud. (look at that cheese pull on the left? I might zoom in on that and make it my Christmas photo for this year.)

You’ll want to let it sit for about five minutes before you cut in so that it can cool and set a tad. But you know this already. You’re schooled.

I don’t know what else to say other than to BEG you to bump this up for your weekend cooking. It’s so comforting and delicious and everyone’s going to completely flip out. Like, that’s just the truth.

See, I knew you’d love this.

Chicken and Broccoli Orzo Bake
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Recipe Image

Ingredients

  • 1 pound chicken tenders, cut into small chunks
  • 2 cups broccoli, pulsed in a food processor until crumbly
  • 1 (10 1/2 oz) can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 1 (8 oz) block medium cheddar cheese, grated
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the stock and cream of mushroom soup. Add the chicken, garlic powder, onion powder, broccoli and orzo. Give it all a good pinch of salt. Stir together until completely mixed.
  3. Pour the mix into an 8x13 baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the cheese on top. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the cheese is browned and starting to bubble. (If you need to broil it for two minutes at the end, that works!)
  4. Let it sit 5-10 minutes, so that it can cool and set.
  5. Serve it up!
  6. Serves 4-6.
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https://bevcooks.com/2021/02/chicken-and-broccoli-orzo-bake/

Hi and goodbye.

I felt like you needed one more closeup. You’re not mad, right?

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25 Responses to Chicken and Broccoli Orzo Bake

  1. Steph February 4, 2021 at 10:10 am #
    Do you think you could sub rice for orzo? I am one of those unfortunate souls who HAS to be GF. Definitely want to try this though!
    • Bev Weidner February 4, 2021 at 10:26 am #
      You can use rice, just precook it first! It won't have the exact same vibe, but it will work. Or find a good gluten-free orzo! I know DeLallo has one. :)
  2. Janet Ward February 4, 2021 at 10:16 am #
    can you make this without the broccoli?
    • Bev Weidner February 4, 2021 at 10:27 am #
      Totally can! It won't have the same flavors, but it will work.
  3. Jenn Glenn February 4, 2021 at 10:43 am #
    Looks amazing! I’m going to make this tonight!!
  4. Ally February 4, 2021 at 10:52 am #
    Don’t have a food processor or blender, can I just chop the broccoli as finely as I can ?
    • Bev Weidner February 4, 2021 at 11:04 am #
      Indeed! Chop it way down. It makes a difference, I promise! :)
  5. Rachele February 5, 2021 at 7:13 am #
    I might sauté some extra mushrooms to add to this gloriousness...
    • Caitlin February 5, 2021 at 9:09 am #
      This looks amazing!!! I’m only mildly disappointed that the phrases “broccoli gravel” and “chicken chunkers” didn’t make it in to the body of the recipe. ?
      • Laura December 17, 2023 at 6:48 pm #
        Literally came out as a pan of water with chicken and orzo floating in it. Do not recommend.
  6. Carla February 5, 2021 at 9:51 am #
    "‘Atta goil" was everything I needed this morning
  7. Mary Beth February 5, 2021 at 10:15 am #
    I cannot wait to try this, my kids love orzo!
  8. Kristen Malm February 5, 2021 at 11:13 am #
    Do you think this is freezer friendly? Could I toss it into the freezer before baking and then thaw/bake later on?
    • Yuko February 5, 2021 at 8:46 pm #
      THIS.WAS.UHMAAAAZING!! Adults and kids were equally happy and huge bonus the kid had “hidden” veggies in her meal!! Thank you so much for this. Already passed this recipe off three times tonight.
  9. Dena February 6, 2021 at 6:39 pm #
    I forgot to buy broccoli ? Any sub ideas?
    • Bev Weidner February 7, 2021 at 6:59 am #
      Ohhhh, I say just leave it out! Peas might be fun. :)
  10. Tracy Neville February 9, 2021 at 7:53 pm #
    I hate broccoli! I loved this! Thanks for making me eat my broccoli!
  11. TNMom February 11, 2021 at 7:32 pm #
    Smelled delicious but was still so liquidy. ?
  12. Shannon March 9, 2021 at 10:52 am #
    Is it two cups of broccoli before it goes into the food processor? Or two cups when it comes out of the food processor?
    • Bev Weidner March 9, 2021 at 10:55 am #
      Two cups before! It will then be around a cup once pulsed. Hope you enjoy!
      • Shannon March 9, 2021 at 1:28 pm #
        Thanks! I’m making it tonight!
  13. Julie August 24, 2021 at 2:49 pm #
    Think chicken thighs would work? Cut them in chunks or cook and then shred? Thanks!
  14. Genevieve September 21, 2021 at 1:40 pm #
    Can you use frozen broccoli?

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