Marry Me Chicken Sushi Bake (Printable)

Bite-sized cups with creamy chicken, orzo pasta, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh basil in a golden baked form.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken & Pasta

01 - 2 cups cooked orzo pasta (about 6.3 oz dry)
02 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced

→ Marry Me Sauce

03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup heavy cream
06 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
08 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
09 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Assembly & Topping

12 - 2 large eggs
13 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
15 - 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
16 - Olive oil spray

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin with olive oil spray.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add heavy cream, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, dried Italian herbs, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce slightly thickens.
04 - Stir in the cooked chicken breast and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
05 - In a large bowl, combine cooked orzo pasta, chicken mixture, eggs, shredded mozzarella cheese, and chopped fresh basil. Mix thoroughly until well incorporated.
06 - Divide the mixture evenly among the 12 muffin cups, pressing lightly to compact.
07 - Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs over each filled cup and lightly mist or drizzle with olive oil.
08 - Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes until the tops are golden and set.
09 - Allow to cool for 5 minutes. Loosen the edges carefully with a knife and remove the cups from the tin.
10 - Garnish each cup with additional fresh basil before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They look like you spent hours in the kitchen, but they're honestly done in under an hour.
  • Creamy, garlicky, sun-dried tomato goodness in every bite without any of the sushi rolling mess.
  • Perfect for when you want to impress people at a dinner party or feed a crowd with minimal fuss.
02 -
  • Cool the chicken mixture before mixing it with orzo, or you'll end up with broken pasta and a mushy texture. Temperature matters more than you'd think.
  • Don't skip pressing the mixture into the muffin cups. Loose, unpacked cups will fall apart when you remove them, and that's heartbreaking.
  • If your mozzarella is old or watery, pat it dry with a paper towel before adding it. Water is the enemy of structure.
03 -
  • Make the sauce while the pasta is finishing cooking so nothing sits around getting cold. Timing in the kitchen is about rhythm, not rushing.
  • A good Pinot Grigio or a light rosé will cut through the richness of the cream and make you want another bite. Pair thoughtfully and the meal becomes an experience.
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