Monterey Chicken One Pan Orzo

This Monterey Chicken One Pan Orzo brings bold, cheesy, barbecue-inspired flavors to your dinner table—all in one skillet! Tender chicken, smoky bacon, melty cheese, sweet BBQ sauce, and creamy orzo pasta come together for a comforting dish that’s easy enough for a weeknight but tasty enough to impress guests.

The first time I made Monterey Chicken Orzo, I was craving the classic Monterey chicken dish but didn’t want a pile of dirty pans. So I threw everything into one skillet with some orzo and hoped for the best. My husband said it was “better than any restaurant meal,” and my daughter asked if we could make it every week. That’s when I knew it was a keeper.

Why You’ll Love Monterey Chicken One Pan Orzo

• One Pan = Easy Clean-Up

•Cheesy & Creamy with smoky bacon and BBQ sauce

•Loaded with Flavor from garlic, chicken broth, and melty Monterey Jack

•Family Favorite that even picky eaters will devour

Ingredients Notes For Monterey Chicken One Pan Orzo

•Chicken Breast: Diced and seared for juicy flavor

•Orzo Pasta: Cooks right in the skillet and soaks up all the flavor

•Monterey Jack Cheese: Melty, creamy, and perfect for this dish

•Bacon: Cooked crisp and added for a smoky, salty bite

•BBQ Sauce: Adds that signature Monterey-style sweetness

•Chicken Broth: Cooks the orzo and enhances the savory base

•Garlic & Onion: Aromatics that make every bite better

•Green Onions or Parsley: For a fresh finish

Recipe Steps

1. Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving a little bacon grease in the pan.

2. Sear the Chicken: Season diced chicken with salt, pepper, and paprika. Add to the pan and sear until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.

3. Sauté the Aromatics: In the same pan, add a little oil if needed. Sauté chopped onion and garlic until soft and fragrant.

4. Add Orzo & Broth: Stir in orzo and toast for 1 minute. Add chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cook uncovered for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.

5. Mix It All Together: Stir in BBQ sauce, cooked chicken, half the bacon, and half the cheese. Mix until creamy and melty. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese and bacon on top.

6. Melt & Serve: Cover the pan and let it sit for 2–3 minutes to melt the cheese. Garnish with green onions or parsley. Serve hot!

Storage Options

•Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container up to 4 days

•Freezer: Freeze cooled portions up to 2 months—thaw and reheat gently with a splash of broth or milk

Variations & Substitutions

•Spicy Kick: Add jalapeños or hot BBQ sauce

•Veggie Add-In: Stir in spinach, corn, or roasted red peppers

•Cheese Swap: Use sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, or pepper jack for extra flavor

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use rotisserie chicken? Yes! Stir it in with the BBQ sauce step to save even more time.

What’s the best BBQ sauce for this? A smoky-sweet style works great, but feel free to use your favorite.

Can I make this ahead? Definitely! Just reheat gently and add a little broth to keep it creamy.

This Monterey Chicken One Pan Orzo is cheesy, smoky, and oh-so-satisfying—all made in a single skillet. It’s comfort food made easy, and you’ll be hooked after the first bite! 🧀🍗🥓

Monterey Chicken One Pan Orzo

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Course: Main Course

Kitchen: American, Tex-Mex Inspired

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Ingredients

 

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• ▢ 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts diced
• ▢ ½ teaspoon salt
• ▢ ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ▢ 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ▢ 4 slices of bacon chopped
• ▢ 1 small onion diced
• ▢ 2 cloves of garlic minced
• ▢ 1 cup 0.5 lbs of orzo pasta (uncooked)
• ▢ 2 cups 1 lb of chicken broth
• ▢ ½ cup 0.25 lbs of canned diced tomatoes (drained)
• ▢ 1 cup 0.5 lbs of shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• ▢ ¼ cup 0.12 lbs of barbecue sauce (for drizzling or mixing in)
• ▢ Chopped green onions or fresh parsley for garnish optional

Instructions

• Cook the Bacon:
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add chopped bacon and cook until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the pan.
• Cook the Chicken:
• Season diced chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
• Add olive oil to the pan if needed, then cook chicken over medium-high heat until golden and cooked through (about 5–6 minutes).
• Remove and set aside.
• Sauté Aromatics & Toast Orzo:
• In the same skillet, add the onion and sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened.
• Stir in garlic and cook another 30 seconds.
• Add orzo and toast for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently.
• Add Broth & Simmer:
• Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
• Cover and cook on medium-low for 8–10 minutes, or until orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
• Add Chicken & Cheese:
• Stir in cooked chicken, diced tomatoes, half of the Monterey Jack cheese, and half of the cooked bacon.
• Mix in barbecue sauce if desired for extra smoky-sweet flavor.
• Top & Melt:
• Sprinkle the rest of the cheese and bacon on top.
• Cover and let sit for 2–3 minutes off the heat until the cheese melts.
• Garnish & Serve:
• Garnish with chopped green onions or parsley.
• Serve hot, straight from the skillet!