Description
Baked Orzo with Chicken and Feta brings Mediterranean comfort straight to your dinner table, creating a creamy one-pan meal that combines tender chicken, salty feta, and perfectly cooked pasta. Weeknight dinner heroes will appreciate how quickly this delicious recipe comes together with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound chicken breast, diced
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
Supporting Ingredients:
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup spinach, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 375°F. Grab a large skillet and warm 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat.
- Dice 1 pound chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Sear chicken for 5-7 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked. Transfer chicken to a separate plate.
- In the same skillet, sauté 1 chopped onion and 2 minced garlic cloves for 2-3 minutes until onion turns translucent.
- Add 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 cup chopped spinach, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3-4 minutes until spinach wilts.
- Pour 1 cup orzo pasta into the skillet. Stir in 2 cups chicken broth and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until orzo becomes tender and liquid reduces.
- Remove skillet from heat. Mix in your cooked chicken and ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese. Transfer entire mixture to a greased baking dish.
- Sprinkle remaining ¼ cup feta cheese over the top. Slide dish into preheated oven.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes until cheese turns golden and edges become bubbly. Garnish with ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley before serving.
Notes
- Swap chicken for tofu or chickpeas to make this recipe vegetarian-friendly and protein-packed.
- Cook orzo just until al dente to prevent a mushy texture and maintain a pleasant bite in the final dish.
- Experiment with different herbs like fresh basil or dill to customize the flavor profile and add brightness.
- For a lighter version, use low-sodium chicken broth and reduce the amount of feta cheese to cut down on calories.
- Prep Time: 10-13 minutes
- Cook Time: 28-34 minutes
- Category: Baked
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg