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Flavorful Mediterranean Chicken Orzo

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A delightful Mediterranean dish featuring succulent chicken, hearty orzo pasta, and bright greens, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 1½ cups (280 g) orzo pasta
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cups (90 g) fresh baby spinach
  • ½ cup (70 g) sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice and zest of 1 lemon
  • 3 cups (700 ml) low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken dry and season it generously with salt, pepper, and oregano.
  2. In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 5–6 minutes on each side until it’s golden and fully cooked. Transfer the chicken to a plate, covering it to keep warm.
  3. Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet, and sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until it becomes fragrant.
  4. Add the orzo to the skillet and toast it for 1–2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  5. Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth, bring it to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the orzo is tender.
  6. Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, spinach, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Cook for another minute until the spinach wilts.
  7. Slice the chicken, return it to the pan, and toss everything together gently.
  8. Adjust the seasoning as needed. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes

For a vegetarian option, swap the chicken for chickpeas or tofu. Great served with crusty bread or arugula salad.

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