Mediterranean Chicken Orzo Bake

This Mediterranean Chicken Orzo Bake is a balanced and healthy weeknight meal that’s super easy to make! It’s cozy, delicious & protein-rich. I can’t wait for you to try this!

Why you’ll love this recipe

If you’re looking for a quick and easy chicken recipe for a busy weeknight, you’ve come to the right place. This homemade one pot orzo recipe is straightforward and gives the illusion of a traditional “bake” without using the oven! The way that it’s cooked enhances the flavours while still making sure the chicken is moist and tender. 

Once you’ve made this version, you can pair orzo pasta with chicken, vegetables and a variety of spices to make it taste different every time! The orzo takes on whatever seasonings it’s cooked with so it’s incredibly versatile. 

I love that the final product is a creamy chicken orzo bake without the use of heavy cream. This is achieved with a little bit of butter at the start and the release of the natural starches of the orzo while it’s cooking.

It’s also a great recipe to make for meal prep because the leftovers are just as delicious. Once you give this a try you’ll be wanting it day after day. Feel free to play around with different herbs and seasonings to really make it your own!

 

Ingredients needed

Here’s what you need to make this Mediterranean Chicken Orzo Bake:

• Chicken thighs
• Orzo (uncooked)
• Chicken broth or stock
• Red bell pepper
• Spinach
• Salted butter
• Onion
• Garlic
• Basil, oregano, salt and pepper

 

Substitutions and add-ons

In case you don’t have some of the recommended ingredients or you have a preference for others, here are some substitutions you can make.

• Chicken breasts
  • Instead of using 8 chicken thighs, you can use 4 medium-sized chicken breasts (boneless and skinless). The cooking time will be roughly the same, just make sure the chicken is cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (73.9°C).
• Vegetable broth/stock or beef broth/stock
  • Feel free to use either vegetable or beef broth or stock instead of chicken broth, if you prefer.
• Orange or yellow bell pepper
  • I love using red bell pepper in this recipe to add a pop of colour. However, you can use an orange or yellow bell pepper instead. I don’t suggest using green bell pepper because they can have a bitter aftertaste.
• Unsalted butter or olive oil
  • Either of these ingredients can be used in place of butter.

 

If you’re looking to amplify the flavours of this dish even more, consider some of these add-ons:

• Feta cheese or parmesan cheese
  • In my opinion, cheese makes most dishes taste better. Adding a sprinkle of feta or parmesan cheese to this dish right before serving takes it to the next level.
• Fresh herbs
  • Fresh herbs like basil and parsley are additions that light up our senses. They bring colour to the dish as well as texture, taste and a delicious aroma. I highly recommend adding some fresh basil or parsley to your bowl of chicken orzo bake!
• Sun dried tomatoes
  • Originating in Italy, sun dried tomatoes add a wonderful flavour to this dish. Feel free to add these to the dish when the spinach is added. However, be aware that they provide quite an intense and salty taste that will alter the final flavour of the recipe.
• Lemon juice
  • Adding a squirt of lemon juice on top of this chicken orzo bake is a great way to add a slight acidic taste while brightening up the dish.

 

What is orzo?

Orzo is a pasta that’s quite small and shaped like a flat, slightly elongated and pointed oval. It originates in Italy but now can be found all over the world in a variety of dishes. 

The word “orzo” actually translates to “barley,” as a nod to the shape of the pasta, which is quite similar to that of a barley seed. However, orzo is made with wheat or semolina flour and does not contain any barley.

Orzo is not traditionally gluten-free but more food manufacturers now offer gluten-free and grain-free versions.

 

How to make Mediterranean Chicken Orzo Bake

Here’s how to make this delicious chicken orzo recipe: 

1. Place the butter in a large deep pot (that has a lid) on medium high heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook for 4-5 minutes on one side. Sprinkle ground black pepper on top and then flip and cook the other side of the chicken for another 4-5 minutes or until each side is browned on the outside. Remove each chicken thigh and place them on a plate on the side for now.
2. There should still be some butter lingering in the pot. On medium heat, add the chopped onion and minced garlic to this and cook for 2-3 minutes or until they become fragrant. Stir well to make sure they don’t stick to the bottom of the pot. You can also scrape up any browned food from the base of the pot at this time.
3. Pour in the dry orzo and stir well to combine with the onions and garlic, toasting it slightly for about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the chicken broth or stock and chopped red bell pepper. Stir, making sure the orzo isn’t sticking to the bottom of the pot.
5. Add the chicken thighs back in, spreading them out evenly and nestling them into the orzo and chicken stock. Cover the pot with the lid, bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 minutes (stirring every 5 minutes to make sure the orzo doesn’t stick to the bottom) or until the orzo has soaked up the liquid and the chicken has cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (73.9°C).
6. Add the fresh spinach, stir and cook on low for another 3-5 minutes. 
7. Serve immediately with a sprinkle of feta and fresh basil or parsley. Season with salt and pepper and enjoy!

 

Is the oven required for this recipe?

Even though this recipe is called a chicken orzo bake, you don’t actually have to put this pot in the oven. The final texture looks and tastes like it was baked but it’s all cooked on the stovetop, saving you time and energy. Plus, once the weather gets warmer I know we want to avoid turning on the oven as much as possible, so this is a great recipe to use all year round!

 

How to serve

My favourite way to serve this dish is to season it with salt and pepper and then sprinkle some feta cheese and freshly chopped basil or parsley on top. Here are some other ways you may want to serve this dish:

• Add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese or crumbled goat cheese on top
• Drizzle on some hot honey for extra spice
• Add a dollop of tzatziki on the side for flavour and a creamier texture
• Pair it with a side salad for extra greens

 

However you decide to serve this Mediterranean Chicken Orzo Bake, I have a feeling you’re going to love it!

Nutrition

As a dietitian, I aim to create dinner recipes that are well balanced, filling and delicious! This recipe serves 4 people and each serving provides roughly:

• 52 grams of protein
• 27 grams of fat
• 6 grams of fibre
• A variety of B vitamins, including folate
• A significant source of vitamin C, K, iron, zinc and other minerals

Remember, these nutrition facts can vary, depending on the brand and type of ingredients used. For example, if you use chicken thighs that have the skin on versus skin removed, the overall fat content will change.

 

FAQ

• Why chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
  • I find that chicken thighs end up being more moist and flavourful once they are cooked. However, chicken breasts still work perfectly well in this recipe so feel free to use them instead, if you prefer!
• Should I cook the orzo before adding it to this recipe?
  • No. The orzo cooks in the pot with everything else and soaks up the chicken broth, so please don’t cook it before you add it to the pot.
• Do I need to season the chicken thighs or chicken breasts before cooking them?
  • No. All you have to do is add some freshly ground black pepper on top while they’re already in the pot so there is no need to season before this step.

 

More dinner recipes!

If you’re looking for more healthy dinner recipes, you need to check these out!

• Chicken Fajita Bowls (Fajita Style)
• Salmon and Sweet Potato Cakes
• Tofu Burrito Bowls with Avocado Cilantro Sauce
• Pecan Crusted Tilapia
• Yogurt and Dill Marinated Grilled Chicken

 

I hope you love this Mediterranean Chicken Orzo Bake. If you make this recipe, I would love to see your comment and rating below. It also makes my day seeing your creations of my recipes on Instagram- don’t forget to tag @allnutrition.rd!