Name: Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Skillet Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Asian Fusion
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; 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 leaves

There’s something incredibly comforting about a one-pot meal that bursts with flavor, and the Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Skillet Recipe is exactly that—a vibrant, cozy dish where tender chicken meets spicy, tangy orzo in just 30 minutes. It’s absolutely worth making when you want dinner that feels both special and effortless.

The image shows a large black pot with red handles filled with a dish made of light brown orzo pasta mixed with small pieces of cooked chicken meat. The chicken pieces are golden brown with small black sesame seeds on top. There are fresh green herbs scattered throughout the dish, adding a touch of color, and some green onion slices are visible. A gold spoon is resting in the pot, partly lifted with some orzo and herbs on it. Below the pot, a white plate holds a serving of the same dish with similar colors and textures. To the right, a small white bowl contains a reddish sauce with floating spices. The whole setup is on 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 Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Skillet Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Skillet Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Skillet Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m totally smitten with how this Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Skillet Recipe combines bold Asian-inspired flavors with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. It’s unapologetically delicious and super quick — the kind of meal you’ll want on repeat.

One-pot magic: Cooking everything in a single skillet means less mess and a speedy weeknight dinner.
Flavors that pop: The blend of fresh ginger, chili, garlic, and sweet chili jam creates a perfect balance of heat and sweetness.
Tender, juicy chicken: Using skinless boneless thighs keeps the meat moist and flavorful under that lovely char.
Comforting and filling: The orzo soaks up all the savory sauce, making every bite satisfying without feeling heavy.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe is a great example of how a handful of simple, well-chosen ingredients can deliver layers of flavor that feel complex and comforting. Each component plays a role, making sure every bite is exciting yet balanced.

Flat lay of skinless, boneless free-range chicken thighs, a small white bowl of coarse salt, a small white bowl of golden olive oil, a bunch of fresh scallions with white and green parts separated, a fresh 1-inch piece of ginger root, four whole garlic cloves, a small white bowl of red chili flakes, a small white bowl of dark soy sauce, a small white bowl of amber fish sauce, a small pile of uncooked orzo pasta, a small white bowl of clear chicken stock, a small white bowl of vibrant red chili oil, a small white bowl of glossy sweet chili jam, and a handful of fresh cilantro leaves arranged with perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, 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 boneless, skinless thighs for their tenderness and ability to hold up well in the skillet without drying out.
Salt: Essential for seasoning the chicken upfront and building flavor in every bite.
Olive oil: Adds richness and helps achieve that perfect sear on the chicken.
Scallions: Separating the white and green parts helps layer the flavor—cooking the whites gives sweetness while the greens finish with freshness.
Ginger: Freshly grated ginger wakes up the dish with its bright, zesty warmth—ginger paste is a fine shortcut here.
Garlic: Crushed garlic gives a deep, aromatic base that plays beautifully with the chili flakes.
Chili flakes: Provides that subtle heat without overwhelming—adjust to your spice tolerance.
Soy sauce: Brings savory umami and saltiness that deepens the flavor complexity.
Fish sauce: Adds that unmistakable Asian flair and a punch of salty tang; just a little goes a long way.
Orzo: This rice-shaped pasta cooks quickly and absorbs all the beautiful sauces for a comforting texture.
Chicken stock: The liquid base that flavors and cooks the orzo to tender perfection.
Chili oil: A drizzle at the end brings a vibrant color and adds richness with a spicy kick.
Sweet chili jam: Balances the heat with sweetness for a gorgeous glaze.
Cilantro: Fresh cilantro leaves add brightness and an herbal finish that lifts the whole dish.

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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

This is where the recipe gets fun because you can totally make it your own. I often swap out the chicken thighs for breasts if I’m feeling lighter, or add a handful of fresh spinach near the end for some greens. Don’t be shy to tweak it to suit your cravings or pantry staples.

Vegetable boost: Sometimes I toss in diced bell peppers or snap peas when I want a pop of color and crunch.
Mild heat alternative: If spice isn’t your thing, reduce the chili flakes and skip the chili oil—still tastes amazing.
Herb swap: Cilantro is my go-to, but parsley or basil make great alternatives if you’re not a coriander fan.

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

In a black pan, there is a large pile of light golden orzo pasta in the center. Around the orzo, there are finely chopped green onions and small pieces of garlic and spices, all sautéing and shining with oil. A wooden spoon is resting on the edge of the pan, touching the orzo on one side. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Sear the chicken until it’s gloriously golden

First things first, toss the chicken thighs with salt—seasoning upfront is key for flavor. Heat olive oil in a large, high-sided skillet over high heat. Add the chicken and cook without moving it for a good 5 minutes to get that deeply caramelized crust. Flip and repeat on the other side. I like to see a golden char—that’s flavor magic happening. Then remove the chicken and cover it to keep warm.

Step 2: Build the flavor base with aromatics

Lower the heat to medium and add the white parts of the scallions to the pan. Follow with grated ginger, crushed garlic, and chili flakes. Stir around in the chicken drippings—they carry all those beautiful caramelized notes. Cook this mixture for about 2 minutes until fragrant and just starting to soften.

Step 3: Toast the orzo and simmer

Add the orzo to the pan and stir it through the aromatics for a minute. This little toasting step gives a nutty flavor and helps prevent mushiness. Pour in the chicken stock, then stir in the soy sauce and fish sauce. Bring it all to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Let it cook gently for about 10 minutes while stirring occasionally. The orzo will absorb the liquid and thicken the sauce—aim for al dente, so it still has a slight bite.

Step 4: Bring it all together with chili and sweetness

Once the orzo is cooked just right, nestle your chicken thighs back on top. Now the magic finish: drizzle chili oil and sweet chili jam over everything—this gives the dish a glossy, spicy-sweet glaze that’s simply irresistible. Scatter over the green scallion parts and fresh cilantro leaves before serving. Dig in while it’s warm!

Top Tip

Through many attempts making this Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Skillet Recipe, I’ve found a few tricks that make all the difference between “meh” and “wow, can I have this every night?” Try these for the best results:

High heat searing: Don’t rush this step—getting that deep golden crust locks in juiciness and flavor.
Layer your aromatics: Cooking ginger, garlic, and scallion whites slowly in the chicken juices creates a flavor boost that infuses the entire dish.
Stir but don’t stir too much: When simmering the orzo, stir occasionally to avoid sticking, but let it cook mostly undisturbed for a creamy texture.
Adjust seasoning at the end: Taste before plating and add more soy or chili oil if needed—it’s easy to customize the balance of salt and heat.

How to Serve Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Skillet Recipe

ginger chili chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always finish with a generous sprinkle of fresh cilantro—the herbal brightness awakens the dish. The reserved green parts of the scallions add a pop of color and gentle onion flavor. If I’m feeling adventurous, a squeeze of lime juice at the table adds zing. Sometimes I also toss on some toasted sesame seeds for texture.

Side Dishes

Though this skillet recipe is a meal on its own, I’ve enjoyed pairing it with a simple cucumber salad dressed with rice vinegar, or steamed bok choy lightly seasoned with garlic. A crisp green salad or some roasted broccoli also balance the rich, spicy orzo nicely.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner parties, I like to serve the Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Skillet in individual shallow bowls, garnished with extra chili oil drizzle and tiny lime wedges. It turns a casual dinner into something that feels special and inviting. Another fun idea is serving it alongside homemade flatbreads to scoop up the orzo, making it interactive and playful.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The orzo will continue to absorb the sauce, so the texture firms up a bit, but it reheats really well with a splash of water or stock to loosen it back up.

Freezing

Freezing this dish is doable but I prefer to freeze the cooked chicken separately from the orzo. The orzo can get a little mushy when thawed, so I usually make a fresh batch of orzo if I’m planning ahead. That said, if you freeze everything together, reheat gently and stir in a little extra chili jam or citrus juice to brighten it up.

Reheating

I reheat leftovers over medium-low heat on the stovetop, adding a splash of chicken stock or water to bring back creaminess. Cover the pan to warm through evenly without drying out the chicken. Microwave works too, but stirring halfway helps maintain texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?

Yes! Chicken breasts work fine in this recipe, but be careful not to overcook them to keep them tender. Since breasts cook faster and can dry out, watch the sear time closely and consider slicing them thinner for even cooking.

What can I substitute for orzo?

You can swap orzo for other small pasta shapes like acini di pepe, couscous, or even rice. Just adjust the cooking time and liquid accordingly to make sure it cooks through properly.

How spicy is this Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Skillet Recipe?

The spice level is moderate thanks to chili flakes and chili oil, but you can adjust it easily by using more or less chili flakes and chili oil. If you want it mild, reduce or omit the chili flakes and oil without losing the overall flavor.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep the chicken and chop the aromatics ahead of time to save time on the day you cook. However, I recommend cooking the orzo fresh for the best texture. Leftovers store well, but orzo can firm up in the fridge.

Final Thoughts

This Ginger Chili Chicken Orzo Skillet Recipe has become a reliable favorite in my kitchen, especially when I want to impress without hours of work. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug in a bowl—comforting but exciting. Seriously, once you try it, I promise you’ll come back to it again and again. Give it a shot—you might just find your new go-to weeknight winner.