One-Pan Mediterranean Chicken and Orzo
My favorite recipes are one-pan meals, like this Mediterranean Chicken and Orzo. It’s simple and satisfying with all the flavors of the mediterranean.
One-Pan Mediterranean Chicken Recipe With Orzo
I’m a mom of three busy teenagers—only one of whom can drive right now. When it’s not football and softball season, it’s basketball and then track. We spend a lot of time shuttling them to and from practices and games, and cheering them on from the stands as do many other parents.
I understand why fast food lines after these events are always so long—everyone needs something quick on busy nights. As a scratch-cook mom, I try to avoid the fast food dilemma by creating fast, easy, nutritious, and filling recipes that fuel my young athletes. One of my all-time favorites is a Mediterranean chicken recipe that’s both flavorful and practical for hectic evenings.
My favorite recipes are one-pan meals, like this Mediterranean Chicken and Orzo. It’s simple and satisfying. After browning the chicken and softening the veggies, you just toss in the rest of the ingredients, cover the ovenproof skillet with foil, and bake. This Mediterranean chicken recipe is the perfect weeknight dinner—quick, delicious, and it looks like I spent hours in the kitchen. Everyone loves it!
You’ll need my recipe for Greek Burger Seasoning. It’s everything you want in a Mediterranean spice, bringing out the best in any Mediterranean chicken recipe you prepare.
If you like this one and want some more, try Caribbean Jerk Chicken and Rice that uses a homemade Caribbean Jerk seasoning or my favorite, Tarragon Chicken and Wild Rice that uses a homemade chicken seasoning. Both are excellent options to have in your weeknight rotation.
Visual Process for Making This Mediterranean Chicken and Rice
Step 1
Sear Chicken Thighs
You want to season them up and let them rest for 30 minutes. Then add some olive oil to the bottom of an oven-proof skillet (I prefer coated cast iron) and sear the chicken on both sides for a couple minutes. Remove them from the skillet.
Step 2
Soften the Vegetables
Soften the choppedred onions and garlic. Then add mushrooms and parsley. Finally add the kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes to the pan.
Step 3
Add The Other Stuff
Add orzo, burger seasoning, lemon juice and chicken broth. Put the chicken on top.
Step 4
Cover and Bake
Cover tightly with aluminum foil and then bake in the oven for one hour or until the orzo is tender and the chicken is cooked through. Serve fluffed with feta cheese.
Step 5
Cool and Serve
Let it cool slightly (the tomatoes will burn your mouth), then serve it up!
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One-Pan Mediterranean Chicken and Rice
Ingredients
- 6 Boneless Chicken Thighs
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp Greek Burger Seasoning
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 Cloves of Garlic (minced)
- ⅓ cup Red Onion (chopped)
- ½ cup Mushrooms (sliced)
- ½ cup Kalamata Olives
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (chopped)
- 3 Sprigs Curly Parsley (chopped)
- 1 cups Orzo
- 1½ cups Chicken Broth
- 2 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice (about 1 lemon worth)
- 1 tbsp Greek Burger Seasoning
- Fresh Parsley (for garnish)
- ½ cup Feta Cheese (crumbled)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉.
- Season 6 Boneless Chicken Thighs with ½ tsp Salt, 1 tbsp Greek Burger Seasoning, and ½ tsp Black Pepper. Ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed, including under the skin if not using skinless chicken. Let it sit for 30 minutes.
- Heat 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil over medium heat in a cast iron or other oven-safe skillet. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken and sear on both sides until lightly golden brown. Set the chicken aside.
- In the same skillet, Add 2 Cloves of Garlic and cook for 45 seconds or until fragrant. Then add ⅓ cup Red Onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until onions are translucent. Add ½ cup Mushrooms and 3 Sprigs Curly Parsley, cooking until the mushrooms soften and release their juices. Add ½ cup Kalamata Olives and 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes.
- Add 1 cups Orzo and 1 tbsp Greek Burger Seasoning. Mix well. Season with salt and pepper. Pour in 1½ cups Chicken Broth2 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice and stir.
- Place the seared chicken back into the skillet. Cover the skillet tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake covered at 350℉ for 45 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, fluff the orzo, and let it cool slightly before serving. Top with ½ cup Feta Cheese before serving.
Substitutions
- Chicken Breasts: Swap thighs for breasts if you prefer leaner meat, but keep an eye on cooking time—they may cook faster and could be dryer.
- Veggie Boost: Add diced zucchini, bell peppers, or spinach for more variety.