Description
A vibrant one-skillet Mediterranean Chicken Orzo featuring pan-seared chicken chunks, tender pasta, and blistered cherry tomatoes in a glossy lemon-garlic sauce. Finished with salty Kalamata olives and creamy feta for an easy, high-protein dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs Chicken Breast, cut into large chunks
- 1.5 cups Orzo Pasta, dry
- 2 cups Cherry Tomatoes, whole
- 3 cups Fresh Spinach, baby leaves
- 1/2 cup Kalamata Olives, pitted
- 1/2 cup Feta Cheese, crumbled
- 3 cups Chicken Broth
- 1 large Lemon, juiced plus wedges for garnish
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1 tsp Cracked Black Pepper
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Searing: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Sear for 4 minutes until golden-brown charred edges form. Flip and cook for 2 more minutes. Remove from pan.
- Blistering: Add remaining oil and cherry tomatoes to the same skillet. Sauté for 5 minutes until skins are wrinkled and blistered.
- Toasting: Add minced garlic and dry orzo to the skillet. Toast for 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly translucent.
- Simmering: Pour in broth and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 8-10 minutes until orzo is tender.
- Assembly: Stir in spinach, olives, and seared chicken until spinach is wilted.
- Finishing: Top with large feta crumbles, chopped parsley, and black pepper. Serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
Do not rinse the orzo; the starch creates the glossy sauce texture. Use a cast iron skillet for the best char on the chicken.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 485 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 820 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Keywords: Mediterranean, chicken orzo, high protein, one-pan, dinner, lemon garlic sauce