Pat the chicken pieces dry with a paper towel. Season them generously with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces in a single layer. Cook for about 4 minutes, until the underside is golden brown. Then stir and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set it aside.

In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter. As it melts, scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon. Add the chopped onion and cook for about 3 minutes, until it becomes soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds, until fragrant.

Add the dry orzo pasta to the skillet. Stir it into the butter and onion mixture. Let it toast for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly. You will hear a slight crackling sound, and the orzo will turn a light golden color.

Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Add the dried thyme and paprika. Stir everything together, scraping the bottom of the pan again. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Then reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let it simmer for 10 minutes. The orzo will absorb the liquid and become tender.

After 10 minutes, remove the lid. The orzo should be mostly cooked and the sauce should be creamy but slightly thin. Add the broccoli florets on top of the orzo. Cover the skillet again and cook for another 3 to 4 minutes. The steam will cook the broccoli to a perfect tender crisp green.

Remove the lid. The broccoli should be bright green and tender. Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese and grated parmesan cheese over the top. Stir everything together gently but thoroughly. The residual heat will melt the cheese into a luscious, creamy sauce that coats every piece of orzo and chicken. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.

Let the skillet sit off the heat for 2 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly. Then scoop the cheesy chicken broccoli orzo into bowls. Serve it warm, and watch the smiles appear.