Marry Me Chicken Sushi Cups (Printer View)

Creamy chicken and orzo baked in muffin cups, inspired by sushi bake flavors and fusion cuisine.

# What you'll need:

→ Chicken & Pasta

01 - 2 cups cooked orzo pasta (approx. 6.4 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 chopped sun-dried tomatoes
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
15 - 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
16 - Olive oil spray

# Method:

01 - Preheat 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. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Pour in heavy cream, then stir in Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, dried Italian herbs, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until slightly thickened.
04 - Add the cooked chicken to the sauce and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
05 - In a large bowl, mix together the cooked orzo, chicken sauce mixture, eggs, mozzarella, and fresh basil until evenly combined.
06 - Divide the mixture evenly among the muffin cups, pressing lightly to compact.
07 - Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs evenly over each cup and lightly mist with olive oil spray.
08 - Place in the oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden brown and set.
09 - Allow to cool for 5 minutes. Loosen edges with a knife and carefully remove each cup from the tin.
10 - Garnish each cup with additional fresh basil before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They look restaurant-worthy but come together in under an hour, which means you can impress people without the stress.
  • The creamy Marry Me sauce soaks into the pasta while staying rich enough to feel indulgent with every bite.
  • They reheat beautifully, so you can make them ahead and just pop them back in the oven right before friends arrive.
02 -
  • Don't skip letting the sauce cool slightly before adding eggs, or they'll scramble and give you a grainy texture instead of a silky binder.
  • The eggs are crucial to holding these cups together; they're not just an afterthought, so make sure they're well incorporated throughout the mixture.
03 -
  • Use a standard-sized muffin tin, not a jumbo one, because the standard cups ensure even cooking and the perfect bite-sized portions.
  • Press the mixture down gently but firmly so the cups hold their shape when you remove them, but not so hard that they become dense and heavy.
Return