High-Protein Balsamic Chicken Orzo

The pot lid rattles and you know dinner is almost ready. That kinda sound always gets me because it means the pressure's building up just right in the cooker, locking all those flavors in. You might peek through the steam and see those juicy chicken pieces mingling with orzo and bright cherry tomatoes. Yum!

As the pressure builds, you notice the broth depth perfect for soaking every bite with goodness. It ain't too watery or dry, just the way you like it. When the cooker signals it's time, you do a quick release, or sometimes a slow release if you wanna be extra careful with the hot steam.

Then comes the best part when you open the lid and see fresh mozzarella melting into the mix and basil sprinkled on top. You feel that warmth spreading through your kitchen and know tonight's meal is gonna hit the spot. It's one pot wonder, all that taste and barely any mess.

Why This Recipe Works Every Single Time

• Using cubed chicken breasts lets the meat cook evenly and soak up flavors real good. Check out our Stuffed Pepper Soup recipe for more ideas on cooking juicy chicken dishes.
• Dry orzo absorbs broth perfectly so it's creamy without being mushy, a technique also used in our Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Beef Bites & Potatoes recipe.
• Halved cherry tomatoes break down just right in the pressure cooker, kinda like a fresh sauce similar to our Cowboy Casserole.
• Fresh mozzarella added after cooking melts just enough for rich taste without losing texture.
• Seasonings like garlic powder and onion powder round out flavors nicely with minimal effort, as seen in various recipes on our site.
• The balanced broth depth is perfect for the pressure build and keeps everything tender and juicy.

The Complete Shopping Rundown

• Extra virgin olive oil - goes in at the start for a nice sear and flavor base.
• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 1 ½ pounds - cut into half-inch cubes for even cooking.
• Salt and black pepper - just a pinch each to season the chicken without overpowering.
• Diced onion (about half a cup) - adds savory sweetness and depth.
• Minced garlic (1 tablespoon) - brings that classic garlicky goodness.
• Cherry tomatoes (3 cups, halved) - the fresh burst that turns into a mild saucy texture.
• Dry orzo pasta (1 cup) - this little pasta cooks up creamy when pressure cooked.
• Low sodium chicken stock (1 ¾ cups) - the broth depth that ties everything together.
• Garlic powder and onion powder (half teaspoon each) - for layering subtle flavor notes.
• Fresh mozzarella cubes (1 cup) - added last for gooey, cheesy yum.
• Fresh basil (¼ cup diced) - toss on top for that fresh herbal punch.
• Balsamic glaze (1 tablespoon) - drizzle right before serving to brighten the dish.

Walking Through Every Single Move

1. Heat the olive oil in your pressure cooker's deep skillet or Dutch oven insert over medium-high heat. You wanna get that oil shimmering but not smoking.
2. Add your cubed chicken, sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sear it around 5 to 7 minutes till it's browned nicely on all sides. Don't rush this; the browning adds heaps of flavor.



3. Chuck in the diced onion and minced garlic. Let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes till you smell that garlic fragrance filling the kitchen.
4. Stir in those halved cherry tomatoes and cook for about 4 to 5 minutes till they start breaking down, making a kinda fresh tomato sauce.
5. Sprinkle the dry orzo right in and pour the chicken stock over everything. Add the garlic powder and stir well to combine. This part sets up the broth depth for the pressure build.
6. Lock your lid on and bring to pressure. Let it cook with high pressure for about 10 to 12 minutes. Once done, you can either do a natural release for flavor or quick release if you're in a hurry. Open it up, stir in the fresh mozzarella cubes so they melt into creamy pockets. Garnish with diced basil and drizzle with that balsamic glaze before plating. Boom! Dinner's served.

Time Savers That Actually Work

• Dice the chicken ahead of time and keep it in the fridge to skip chopping on busy nights.
• Use pre-minced garlic or garlic paste if you're in a rush but fresh is always best if you got the time.
• Halve cherry tomatoes while you're cooking the chicken to multitask and save a few minutes.
• Skip browning the chicken if you're super pressed for time but know you'll miss that extra flavor lick.

When You Finally Get to Eat

That first bite is stunning with the creamy orzo and juicy chicken chunks fluttering together. You catch hints of sweet tomato and garlicky warmth that spread through your mouth like a slow hug.

The fresh mozzarella melts in soft little cheesy pools that surprise you every other bite. And that drizzle of balsamic glaze? It cuts the richness real good and lifts the whole dish up nicely.

You notice the basil too, fresh and green, giving a little pop of brightness that makes you wanna savor every bite, no rush. This dish kinda feels like a warm bowl of comfort made better because it's so easy.

How to Store This for Later

• Cool the leftovers to room temp before packing them in airtight containers. Store in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat gently to keep that creamy texture.
• For longer storage, freeze in portioned freezer-friendly containers. It'll last about 2 months but mozzarella might separate a bit after thawing.
• If you freeze, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat slowly on low heat with a splash of broth to bring it back to life.

Common Questions and Real Answers

• Can I use chicken thighs instead? Heck yeah! Just chop them similarly and maybe reduce cook time a tad since thighs can cook faster and stay juicy.
• What if I don't have chicken stock? Water works in a pinch but chicken stock always boosts flavor much better.
• Can I add veggies to this? Sure thing. Spinach or zucchini chunks tossed in right before pressure cooking works great.
• Is orzo the only pasta that works? Nope, you could try small pastas like acini di pepe but orzo's just the right size and texture here.
• Why do I need to brown the chicken? Browning adds a deeper, richer flavor because of that little crust it forms. Skipping it still works but you lose a bit of yum.
• How do I prevent mozzarella from getting rubbery? Add it after pressure cooking and stir gently so it melts nicely but doesn't get tough.

One Pot Caprese Chicken Orzo

This one pot Caprese Chicken Orzo combines juicy cubed chicken, creamy orzo, vibrant cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, and gooey mozzarella, all finished with a balsamic glaze for a flavor-packed and easy weeknight dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings 4 people

Calories 504 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Mixing bowl for preparing chicken and combining ingredients

Ingredients

  

Main Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut in ½ inch cubes
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup diced onion
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 3 cups halved cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup dry orzo
• 1 ¾ cups low sodium chicken stock
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• 1 cup cubed fresh mozzarella
• ¼ cup diced fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze for drizzling

Instructions

 

Instructions

• Heat olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium high heat until shimmering.
• Add cubed chicken and season with salt and pepper. Sear for 5-7 minutes until browned on all sides.
• Stir in diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for 2-3 minutes until garlic is fragrant.
• Add halved cherry tomatoes and cook for 4-5 minutes until they start breaking down.
• Stir in dry orzo, pour in chicken stock, and add garlic powder and onion powder. Mix well.
• Cover and cook over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
• After orzo is fully cooked, stir in fresh mozzarella and diced basil. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.

Notes

Serve warm and enjoy the melty mozzarella and savory tomato flavors. Store in fridge for up to 3 days.