Description
A bright and comforting one-pan meal featuring tender lemon-infused chicken, orzo pasta, and fresh vegetables all cooked together for a burst of zesty flavor. Perfect for busy weeknights, this dish delivers a balanced blend of protein, carbs, and vibrant citrus notes in every bite.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks)
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (or diced tomatoes)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup baby spinach (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat & Sear: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and dried oregano. In a large, oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and sear the chicken thighs for about 3–4 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add the sliced onion and garlic. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add Orzo & Tomatoes: Stir in the orzo and cherry tomatoes. Cook for an additional 1–2 minutes, allowing the orzo to lightly toast.
- Deglaze & Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and add lemon zest, scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Combine & Bake: Nestle the seared chicken thighs into the orzo mixture. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the orzo has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Finish: If using spinach, stir it in just before serving until wilted. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of Greek yogurt after baking.
- Adjust lemon quantities to suit your taste; more zest can boost the citrus flavor.
- Use boneless chicken for a quicker cooking time, but adjust accordingly to ensure it remains moist.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 300g)
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 90mg