Chicken Piccata Orzo – Plain Chicken

Creamy Chicken Piccata Orzo casserole loaded with tender chicken, lemon, capers, parmesan cheese, and buttery Ritz crackers. This easy dump-and-bake chicken and orzo recipe mixes right in the pan for the perfect weeknight dinner. Simple ingredients, tons of flavor, and family-friendly comfort food everyone loves!

Dump & Bake Chicken Orzo

This Chicken Piccata Orzo is the ultimate comfort food casserole. Creamy orzo, tender chicken, tangy capers, bright lemon juice, and lots of parmesan cheese bake together in one dish for an easy dinner the whole family will love. If you are looking for a simple chicken and orzo recipe, this one is hard to beat. Everything mixes right in the baking dish, so there’s no need to dirty extra pans or stand over the stove stirring. The lemony sauce and crunchy buttery Ritz topping give this casserole so much flavor in every bite.

How to Make Chicken Piccata Orzo

This dump-and-bake chicken and orzo casserole could not be easier to make. Add the uncooked orzo, cooked chicken, chicken broth, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, parmesan cheese, capers, lemon juice, lemon zest, and spices directly to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Stir everything together in the bottom of the pan until well combined.

In a small bowl, combine crushed Ritz crackers, melted butter, herb & garlic seasoning, and additional parmesan cheese. Sprinkle the topping evenly over the casserole.

Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake until the orzo is tender and the sauce is creamy. Remove the foil during the last few minutes of baking so the buttery cracker topping gets golden brown and crispy. The casserole comes out rich, creamy, and full of flavor. The orzo soaks up the chicken broth and lemon sauce while baking, making every bite extra delicious.

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

• You can use rotisserie chicken, leftover boneless skinless chicken breasts, or chicken thighs in this recipe.
• Be sure to cover the baking dish tightly with foil so the orzo cooks properly.
• Freshly grated parmesan cheese melts best and gives the casserole the best flavor.
• I suggest using Unsalted Cream of Chicken & Mushroom Soups in this dish to control the sodium.
• If the casserole looks thick after baking, stir in a splash of warm heavy cream or chicken broth before serving.
• Want extra lemon flavor? Add additional lemon zest before serving.
• Crush the Ritz crackers finely so the topping covers the entire casserole evenly.
• Variations/Additions: Add baby spinach and/or sun-dried tomatoes during the last few minutes of baking.
• Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste before serving.
• For extra flavor, sprinkle additional parmesan cheese over the casserole before serving.

Storage Tips

• You can assemble the casserole ahead of time, cover tightly, and refrigerate before baking.
• Freeze the baked casserole tightly wrapped for up to 2 months.
  • Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Reheat leftovers in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
  • If reheating in the oven, add a splash of chicken broth to keep the orzo creamy.

What to Serve with Chicken Piccata Orzo

This dish disappeared fast at our house. Everyone went back for seconds, and there were barely any leftovers by the end of dinner. The creamy lemon sauce, parmesan cheese, and buttery cracker topping make this chicken and orzo casserole pure comfort food.

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