Monterey Chicken Orzo – Plain Chicken

Monterey Chicken Orzo Recipe – comfort food at its best! Tender chicken, orzo pasta, spinach, Monterey Jack cheese, French fried onions, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chicken broth, onion powder, and garlic powder. It comes together in one pan making it perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

Plain Chicken participates in affiliate advertising programs. We may earn a small commission when you make purchases through links on our site.

Cheesy Chicken and Spinach Orzo Casserole

Monterey chicken orzo casserole is a warm, creamy dish that’s bursting with flavor in every bite. The tender orzo pasta, chicken, and spinach is perfectly coated in a rich, creamy sauce made from cream of chicken soup, sour cream, Monterey Jack cheese, and savory seasonings like garlic and onion powder. Topped with crispy French fried onions, this casserole delivers a satisfying crunch that perfectly complements the creamy, cheesy base. It’s a deliciously cozy dish that’s sure to become a family favorite!

How to Make Monterey Chicken Orzo

This casserole is super easy to make with only a few simple ingredients. In a large bowl, stir together cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and chicken broth. Add uncooked orzo pasta, spinach, chicken, shredded Monterey jack cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, and French fried onions – season with salt and black pepper to taste.

Pour chicken mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Top the casserole with more shredded cheese and French fried onions. Cover the pan with aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated oven for 25 minutes, remove the foil and continue to bake until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly. Garnish with fresh parsley. 

Helpful Tips & Frequently Asked Questions

• I use leftover rotisserie chicken for the shredded chicken in this dish. You can use any cooked chicken – boneless skinless chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or chicken tenderloins.
• What is orzo? Orzo is a short-cut pasta that looks like a large grain of rice.
  • Do not cook the orzo pasta – add it to the casserole uncooked. It will cook while the casserole bakes.
• Can I use fresh spinach? Yes! I use frozen spinach because it is convenient and makes for quick prep.
  • 1 lb. fresh spinach (cooks down to 1.5 cups drained) = 10 ounce frozen package
• Variations/Additions:
  • onions
  • bell peppers
  • mushrooms
• I suggest using Unsalted Cream of Chicken or Mushroom Soups in this dish to control the sodium.
• I use low-sodium or no-salt chicken broth or chicken stock.
• Can I make Chicken Orzo Casserole ahead of time? Yes. Mix together all the ingredients except for the orzo and store in the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake the casserole, add the orzo to the casserole filling and pour into a baking dish. Top with cheese and onions and bake as directed.
• Can I freeze Monterey Chicken Orzo? Yes. Bake the casserole and cool to room temperature. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Store in the freezer for up to four months.
  • Thaw and reheat in the microwave or cover the pan with foil and bake at 350ºF until heated through.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

What to Serve with Chicken Orzo

This casserole has quickly earned a spot in our dinner rotation. It is so quick and easy to make – perfect for busy weeknights. Monterey chicken orzo casserole is rich and satisfying, so pairing it with light and fresh sides makes for a balanced meal. 

Looking for more side dish recipes? Here are some popular dishes from the website:

Bread

7 UP Biscuits

7 up Biscuits Recipe – Light and fluffy. There only have four ingredients needed to make THE BEST biscuits EVER!…

Vegetables

Roasted Green Beans and Mushrooms

Roasted Green Beans and Mushrooms Recipe – fresh green beans and mushrooms tossed in olive oil, balsamic, garlic salt, pepper…

Salads

Creamy Italian Dressing

Creamy Italian Dressing Recipe – our favorite salad!!! Romaine, tomatoes, thinly sliced seedless cucumbers, sliced banana peppers, croutons, parmesan cheese,…

Vegetables

Smothered Asparagus

Smothered Asparagus – SO good! Only 6 ingredients!! Fresh asparagus baked in bacon, brown sugar, butter, soy sauce and garlic.…

Monterey Chicken Orzo

Yield: 8 people

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Monterey Chicken Orzo Recipe – comfort food at its best! Tender chicken, orzo pasta, spinach, Monterey Jack cheese, French fried onions, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, chicken broth, onion powder and garlic powder. It comes together in one pan making it perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.

• Preheat oven to 350ºF. Spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

• In a large bowl, stir together cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and chicken broth. Add chicken, uncooked orzo pasta, spinach, 2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese, onion powder, garlic powder, and ½ of the French fried onions – season with salt and black pepper to taste.

• Pour chicken mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Top the casserole with the remaining cup of shredded cheese and French fried onions. Cover the pan with aluminum foil.

• Bake in a preheated oven for 25 minutes, remove the foil and continue to bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and the casserole is bubbly.

• I use leftover rotisserie chicken for the shredded chicken in this dish. You can use any cooked chicken – boneless skinless chicken breasts, chicken thighs, or chicken tenderloins.
• What is orzo? Orzo is a short-cut pasta that looks like a large grain of rice. 
  • Do not cook the orzo pasta – add it to the casserole uncooked. It will cook while the casserole bakes.
• Variations/Additions:
  • onions
  • bell peppers
  • mushrooms
• I suggest using Unsalted Cream of Chicken & Mushroom Soups in this dish to control the sodium.
• I use low-sodium or no-salt chicken broth or chicken stock.
• Can I make Chicken Orzo Casserole ahead of time? Yes. Mix together all the ingredients except for the orzo and store in the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake the casserole, add the orzo to the casserole filling and pour into a baking dish. Top with cheese and onions and bake as directed.
• Can I freeze Monterey Chicken Orzo? Yes. Bake the casserole and cool to room temperature. Cover the panwith plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Store in the freezer for up for four months.
  • Thaw and reheat in the microwave or cover the plan with foil and bake at 350ºF until heated through.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Steph