Dinner

Easy Greek Chicken Orzo Bake: 1 Pan Wonder

Name: Easy Greek Chicken Orzo Bake: 1 Pan Wonder
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon dried thyme; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon olive oil; ½ cup chopped red onion; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained; 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth; ½ cup dry orzo pasta; ½ cup crumbled feta cheese; ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

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Okay, so let me tell you about a dinner that swooped in and saved me on *so* many busy weeknights! This Greek Chicken Orzo Bake is seriously a game-changer. I first stumbled upon the idea when I was trying to recreate some amazing flavors from a little Greek place down the street, but I needed something I could throw together without spending hours in the kitchen. Something comforting, full of flavor, and that my whole family would actually eat without complaining (a true miracle!).

This bake became my go-to because it’s just so darn easy and absolutely bursting with those sunny, herby Greek vibes. You get tender chicken, perfectly cooked orzo, and that salty pop of feta all in one pan. It feels fancy enough to serve to friends, but it’s simple enough for a Tuesday night when you’re exhausted. Trust me, once you make this Greek Chicken Orzo Bake, it’s going to be on repeat in your house too!

Why You’ll Love This Greek Chicken Orzo Bake

Okay, so why is this Greek Chicken Orzo Bake my absolute favorite for a weeknight win? Let me count the ways:

It’s SO quick to pull together. Seriously, you’re looking at maybe 15 minutes of active prep before it goes into the oven. Perfect for those nights when you’re starving and have zero energy.
Hello, flavor bomb! The combination of herbs, juicy chicken, tangy tomatoes, and salty feta is just *chef’s kiss*. It tastes like you spent way more time on it than you actually did.
One pan wonder! Fewer dishes means a happier you. Everything cooks up beautifully in one ovenproof skillet. Easy cleanup? Yes, please!
Comfort food with a sunny twist. It’s hearty and satisfying like a casserole, but the Greek flavors keep it feeling fresh and never heavy.

Ingredients for Your Greek Chicken Orzo Bake

Alright, let’s talk about the goodies you’ll need to make this magic happen! Nothing too fancy here, just simple stuff that comes together for big flavor. Grab your shopping list and let’s get these essentials:

About 1 ½ pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs. I love thighs for how juicy they stay, but breasts work too!
1 teaspoon of dried oregano
½ teaspoon of dried thyme
Just a ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
1 tablespoon of good olive oil
½ cup of chopped red onion
2 cloves of garlic, all minced up
One 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes, don’t drain them!
1 cup of reduced-sodium chicken broth
½ cup of dry orzo pasta
½ cup of crumbled feta cheese
¼ cup of fresh parsley, chopped

Equipment Needed for Your Greek Chicken Orzo Bake

You really don’t need much fancy stuff for this Greek Chicken Orzo Bake, which is another reason I love it! The main thing you’ll definitely want is a good, large ovenproof skillet. That’s where all the magic happens, from browning the chicken to baking the whole delicious thing.

How to Prepare Your Greek Chicken Orzo Bake

Okay, let’s get down to business and make this incredible Greek Chicken Orzo Bake a reality! It’s super straightforward, I promise. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a bubbling, cheesy, herby masterpiece ready for dinner.

Getting Started with Your Greek Chicken Orzo Bake

First things first, let’s get that oven nice and hot! Preheat it to 375°F (190°C). While that’s warming up, grab your chicken thighs and cut them into bite-sized pieces, maybe about an inch each. Toss those chicken pieces in a bowl with your dried oregano, thyme, and pepper. Give it a good stir to make sure everything’s coated. Now, heat up that tablespoon of olive oil in your big ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Pop the seasoned chicken in there and brown it on all sides. Don’t worry about cooking it through, just get some nice color on it, about 5 minutes. Take the chicken out and set it aside for a sec.

Baking the Greek Chicken Orzo Bake

Now that the chicken is out, toss your chopped red onion into the same skillet. Cook it for about 3 minutes until it starts to soften up. Add in that minced garlic and cook for just another minute – you don’t want it to burn! Pour in the can of diced tomatoes (liquid and all!) and the chicken broth. Give it a good stir and bring it to a nice simmer. Now, slide that browned chicken back into the skillet. Stir in your dry orzo pasta, making sure it’s mostly submerged in the liquid. Cover the skillet (if your skillet doesn’t have a lid, foil works perfectly!) and pop it into your preheated oven.

Finishing Your Greek Chicken Orzo Bake

Let it bake for about 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the orzo looks cooked through and most of that yummy liquid has been absorbed. Pull the skillet out of the oven (careful, it’s hot!). Now for the best part – stir in your crumbled feta cheese and the fresh chopped parsley. Give it a gentle mix to distribute that cheesy goodness. Let it sit for about 5 minutes before you serve it. This lets everything settle and the flavors meld even more. Enjoy!

Tips for a Perfect Greek Chicken Orzo Bake

Want to make sure your Greek Chicken Orzo Bake turns out absolutely perfect every single time? Here are a few little tricks I’ve picked up along the way. First off, don’t skip browning that chicken! It adds so much extra flavor and color to the dish. Also, keep an eye on the orzo while it’s baking. You want it tender, but not mushy, and you want most of the liquid absorbed. If it looks a little dry towards the end, you can always add a splash more broth. And honestly, fresh parsley stirred in at the end makes a huge difference – it just brightens everything up!

Greek Chicken Orzo Bake Variations

Okay, while I absolutely adore the classic Greek Chicken Orzo Bake as is, sometimes it’s fun to mix things up a little! You could totally toss in some chopped spinach or bell peppers when you’re sautéing the onion for extra veggies. If you’re not a feta fan (gasp!), a little sprinkle of grated Parmesan right at the end would also be delicious. And if you want a little kick, a pinch of red pepper flakes stirred in with the tomatoes adds a nice warmth!

Serving Suggestions for Your Greek Chicken Orzo Bake

So, you’ve got this bubbling, delicious Greek Chicken Orzo Bake fresh out of the oven! What do you serve alongside it? Honestly, it’s pretty much a meal in itself, but I love to pair it with something light to balance the richness. A simple green salad with a zesty lemon vinaigrette is perfect. Or, if you’re like me and can’t resist, some crusty bread for soaking up all those amazing juices is a must!

Storing and Reheating Your Greek Chicken Orzo Bake

Got leftovers of your amazing Greek Chicken Orzo Bake? Lucky you! Just let it cool down completely before you pop it into an airtight container. It’ll keep happily in the fridge for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready to reheat, you can zap individual portions in the microwave. If you’re reheating a larger amount, cover it loosely with foil and warm it up in the oven at around 300°F (150°C) until it’s heated through. Sometimes adding just a tiny splash of extra broth or water helps keep the orzo from drying out.

Greek Chicken Orzo Bake: Frequently Asked Questions

Okay, so I get lots of questions about this Greek Chicken Orzo Bake, which makes sense because it’s so popular! Here are some of the most common ones I hear:

Can I make this Greek Chicken Orzo Bake ahead of time?

You totally can! You can do the first few steps – browning the chicken and sautéing the aromatics – ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, just combine everything in the skillet and proceed with the recipe.

What if I don’t have an ovenproof skillet for the Greek Chicken Orzo Bake?

No worries! You can do the sautéing and browning steps in a regular skillet on the stovetop. Then, just transfer everything – the chicken, onion, garlic, tomatoes, broth, and orzo – into a baking dish (like a 9×13 inch one) before covering and baking it in the oven.

Can I use a different type of pasta in this Greek Chicken Orzo Bake?

Orzo works best because it’s small and cooks quickly in the liquid. You *could* try other small pasta shapes like ditalini or pastina, but you might need to adjust the amount of liquid slightly or the baking time to make sure the pasta cooks through properly.

Estimated Nutritional Information

Now, I know some of you like to keep track of things, and that’s totally understandable! I’ve included some estimated nutritional information for this Greek Chicken Orzo Bake in the recipe details. Just a quick heads-up though, these values are just estimates. They can totally change depending on the exact brands of ingredients you use, how much salt you add (or don’t add!), and even the specific size of your chicken pieces. Think of it as a helpful guide, but don’t stress about it being perfectly exact!

Share Your Greek Chicken Orzo Bake Experience

Alright, you’ve got the recipe, you know the tips, and hopefully, you’re ready to give this Greek Chicken Orzo Bake a try! When you do, please come back and tell me all about it! Did you love it? Did you make any fun tweaks? Leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out for you. Your feedback totally makes my day! And hey, if you snap a picture, please share it on Instagram or Facebook – I’d absolutely love to see your delicious creation!