Name: One-Pot Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Asian-inspired
Ingredients: 1 lb chicken thighs (skinless, boneless, free-range); 1 teaspoon salt; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 6 scallions (spring onions), sliced finely, white and green parts separated; 1 inch piece of ginger, grated or ginger paste; 4 garlic cloves, crushed; 1 teaspoon chili flakes; 1.5 cups orzo; 3 cups chicken stock; 1.5 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 teaspoon fish sauce; 2 tablespoons chili oil; 2 tablespoons sweet chili jam; A handful of fresh cilantro (coriander) leaves

There's something so comforting about a dish that comes together all in one pan, bursting with bold flavors that wake up your taste buds. This One-Pot Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe is exactly that—a quick, vibrant meal that fills the kitchen with amazing aromas and leaves you with minimal cleanup. Trust me, you’ll want to keep this one in your weeknight dinner rotation.

The image shows a black pan with red handles filled with a dish made of light brown orzo pasta and browned pieces of chicken. The chicken pieces are light golden with some black sesame seeds on top. Among the orzo and chicken, there are green herbs and chopped green onions scattered throughout, adding a fresh green color to the dish. A gold spoon is partially inside the pan, stirring the mixture. Below the pan, there is a white plate with a serving of the orzo and chicken, garnished with green onion curls. To the right of the plate, a small white bowl contains a reddish sauce with some spices. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make One-Pot Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve One-Pot Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
One-Pot Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t get over how this recipe manages to be so simple yet packed with vibrant flavors. From the garlicky ginger kick to the smoldering chili undertones, every bite feels like a cozy hug with a little spicy surprise. Plus, it all cooks in one pot, which means less time washing dishes and more time enjoying your meal.

One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks together, making dinner prep and cleanup incredibly easy.
Flavor Explosion: Ginger, chili flakes, fish sauce, and sweet chili jam combine for complex, balanced heat and sweetness.
Comfort Meets Flair: The tender chicken thighs and creamy orzo soak up all those rich, aromatic juices beautifully.
Flexible & Quick: Ready in about 30 minutes, it’s perfect when you want something satisfying without fuss.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This mix of ingredients brings together hearty, fresh, and punchy flavors that make the dish stand out. The chicken thighs stay juicy, the orzo adds a creamy yet al dente texture, and the combination of soy, fish sauce, and chili elements creates a multidimensional taste profile. When you shop, try to grab the freshest ginger and good-quality chicken for the best results.

Flat lay of skinless boneless free-range chicken thighs, finely sliced white parts of scallions in a small white bowl, whole scallions with green tops fanned out, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, a fresh 1-inch piece of ginger root, peeled and grated on a simple white plate, four whole garlic cloves unpeeled, a small white bowl of red chili flakes, uncooked orzo pasta scattered neatly, a small white bowl of dark soy sauce, a small white bowl of light fish sauce, a small white bowl of clear chicken stock, fresh cilantro leaves loosely piled, a small white bowl of bright red chili oil, a small white bowl of glossy sweet chili jam, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chicken thighs: I prefer bone-free and skinless for quick cooking and tender, juicy bites.
Salt: Essential to season the chicken upfront for deeper flavor delivery.
Olive oil: Provides a subtle fruitiness and helps get that golden sear on the chicken.
Scallions (white and green parts): Adds freshness and gentle onion crunch; white parts go into cooking, green parts for garnish.
Ginger: I love grating fresh ginger for its bright, spicy zing; paste works well too.
Garlic cloves: Crushed to release maximum flavor and aroma.
Chili flakes: Adds heat; adjust the quantity to suit your spice tolerance.
Soy sauce: Brings salty umami depth that complements the chicken perfectly.
Fish sauce: Just a touch for savory complexity—don't worry, it won’t make it fishy if used sparingly.
Orzo: The star carb here—small, pasta-like, and soaks up the cooking liquid beautifully.
Chicken stock: The flavorful cooking liquid that tenderizes the orzo and ties everything together.
Chili oil: Adds fragrant heat and a glossy finish.
Sweet chili jam: Balances the heat with a sticky, sweet punch.
Cilantro leaves: For a fresh, herbaceous pop at the end.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how flexible this recipe is—feel free to tailor the spice level or swap cilantro for fresh basil if you prefer something a little different. I sometimes toss in some chopped bell pepper or mushrooms for extra veggie goodness, and it never disappoints.

Variation: When I wanted milder heat, I reduced the chili flakes and added a splash of lime juice at the end for brightness without extra spice.
Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free orzo or substitute with rice or quinoa for a grain twist.
Extra Veggies: Sliced snap peas or shredded carrots tossed in right after the orzo goes in add crunch and color.

Step-by-Step: How I Make One-Pot Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe

A black pan filled with a mixture of finely chopped green onions and small bits of garlic or ginger, lightly sautéed and spread around the edges. In the center, there is a mound of pale yellow uncooked orzo pasta. A wooden spatula with a smooth texture rests on the right side of the pan, touching the orzo and green onions. The pan sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Season and Sear the Chicken

Start by tossing the chicken thighs with salt to bring out their natural flavors. Heat the olive oil in a large, high-sided pan over high heat until shimmering. Don’t be shy about getting a good sear—cook the chicken thighs for about 5 minutes on each side until they’re beautifully golden and a little charred. This browning adds so much flavor; it’s worth the extra attention. Once done, remove and cover them to keep warm while you cook the orzo.

Step 2: Build Flavor with Aromatics

Lower the heat to medium and add the white parts of the scallions, ginger, crushed garlic, and chili flakes to the pan. Stir them gently in the chicken’s cooking juices for about 2 minutes—this is where the flavors start to sing. The aroma will fill your kitchen and make you even more excited to eat this.

Step 3: Cook the Orzo

Now add the orzo and stir for a minute to toast it slightly. Pour in the chicken stock, soy sauce, and fish sauce, then bring everything to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook gently, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is al dente and most of the liquid has been absorbed—roughly 10 minutes. Stirring helps prevent sticking and ensures a creamy texture.

Step 4: Finish with Chicken and Sauces

Nestle the browned chicken back into the orzo, then drizzle over chili oil and sweet chili jam. Stir just enough to combine without breaking up the chicken. Finally, sprinkle with reserved green scallion parts and fresh cilantro. Serve it hot and enjoy all those layers of flavor!

Top Tip

Having made this One-Pot Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe several times, I’ve learned a few tricks that really boost your results and save you stress in the kitchen.

Don’t Rush the Chicken Sear: A good char forms the base flavor, so let it develop without moving the chicken too much.
Fresh Ginger is Key: Grating fresh ginger gives a vibrant brightness you just can’t get from powder or paste.
Watch the Orzo Closely: Keep the heat low and stir occasionally to avoid it sticking or turning mushy.
Adjust Chili Levels: Add chili flakes gradually to reach your perfect heat balance—you can always add more at the end!

How to Serve One-Pot Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe

Ginger Chili Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always go for the bright green scallion tops and a generous handful of fresh cilantro—it lifts the whole dish with freshness and a bit of herbal zing. Sometimes I drizzle extra chili oil for a touch more heat and color right before serving.

Side Dishes

This recipe is quite hearty on its own, but I like pairing it with a crisp cucumber salad or simple steamed greens like bok choy or broccoli. The cool crunch balances the warmth and spice perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special dinner, I’ve served the orzo in shallow bowls topped with edible flowers and sliced red chili rings—makes a beautiful presentation that’s sure to impress guests without adding fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors actually meld nicely overnight, but I find the orzo thickens as it cools, so a splash of water before reheating helps revive its creamy texture.

Freezing

Freezing this dish isn’t my favorite because the orzo can get a little mushy after thawing. However, if you want to freeze, do so before adding the chili oil and sweet chili jam—add those fresh when you reheat to brighten things up.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring and adding a splash of broth or water as needed until it’s steaming and creamy. The flavors taste just as good the next day, especially with a drizzle of fresh chili oil added on top.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs in this One-Pot Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe?

Yes, you can use chicken breast if you prefer, but thighs tend to stay juicier and more flavorful, especially with this cooking method. If using breasts, be careful not to overcook them to keep them tender.

How spicy is this recipe and can I adjust the heat?

This recipe has a medium level of heat from chili flakes and chili oil, but you can easily adapt it up or down by reducing or adding more chili flakes and chili oil according to your taste preferences.

Is orzo essential, or can I substitute another grain?

Orzo works beautifully because of its small size and quick cooking time, but you can substitute with other small pastas or grains like rice or quinoa. Just keep in mind cooking times and liquid amounts may vary.

Can I prepare parts of this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prep and season the chicken ahead, even slice scallions and grate ginger in advance. Cooking everything fresh is best, though, since the orzo cooks quickly and sauce tastes brightest right after cooking.

Final Thoughts

This One-Pot Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Recipe has quickly become one of my go-to dinners when I want something that’s fast, flavorful, and fuss-free. The cozy meld of spice, garlic, and fresh herbs just hits every spot, and the cleanup is impressively easy. I hope you enjoy making and eating it as much as I do—it’s like getting a big, warm foodie hug at the end of a busy day.