30 minutes

4.85 from 13 votes

08.12.19

Updated: 08.12.19

One Pot Greek Chicken Orzo

Name: One Pot Greek Chicken Orzo
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 1 tbsp smoked paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste); 1/4 tsp pepper (or to taste); 8 chicken thighs (boneless and skinless); 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 large onion (chopped); 3 cloves garlic (minced); 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes; 1/2 tbsp dried oregano; 1 tbsp fresh thyme (chopped); 1 1/2 cups orzo (dry); 1 cup white wine; 2 cups chicken broth (low sodium); 3/4 cup kalamata olives (pitted); 1/4 cup feta cheese (crumbled); 2 tbsp fresh parsley (chopped); 1/2 lemon (cut into wedges)

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This One Pot Greek Chicken Orzo is a perfect midweek meal. It’s quick, delicious and loaded with Greek flavors. Less stress, more flavor!

One Pot Greek Chicken Orzo

This dish is one of my favorites when I’m in the mood for something a little different that packs tons of flavor and is completely satisfying. We cook down the tender orzo with white wine and chicken broth, crumble lots of salty feta, Kalmata olives, and perfectly crisp chicken. Did I mention it’s a one pot dish?

Orzo is perfect for these types of quick meals because it really does cook pretty fast, we’re talking about 6 minutes or less. Orzo is really quite versatile and it’s great in soups, dishes like this Greek chicken orzo and believe it or not, it’s great in salads. It’s light, it’s chewy and it’s such a great base to soak up all our Mediterranean flavors.

What Is Orzo?

Orzo is a small cut pasta that tastes heavenly in big entrees just like the one I’m writing out for you all today. It packs some good protein and pairs well with a good variety of veggies, I’ll be sure to give you some good recommendations below. This dish is absolutely divine and I can’t wait to show it to you all today!

Ingredients In One Pot Greek Chicken Orzo

Keep scrolling for the full recipe and ingredient amounts.

Dredge – We’re going to crispy up some chicken in a dredge made from: all purpose flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Chicken – Thighs, boneless and skinless.
Onion – We want something that cooks down well like white or yellow.
Garlic – Fresh is always best but if jarred is all you have on hand keep in mind that 1 1/2 teaspoons equals 1 whole clove.
Spices – Red pepper flakes, dried oregano, and fresh chopped thyme. However, if dried is all you have on hand just keep in mind that 1 tablespoon fresh equals 1 teaspoon dried.
Orzo – We want this small shaped pasta for our dish, but you could also substitute it with couscous.
Liquids – White wine and low sodium chicken broth make up our liquid base.
Olives – Pitted Kalmata olives studding our entire dish.
Cheese – Feta cheese all crumbled up will help create a creamy base for our Orzo.
Parsley – Fresh all chopped up to be sprinkled on liberally.
Lemon – Cut into wedges to be squeezed over top as garnish.

How To Make One Pot Greek Chicken Orzo

Detailed measurements and instructions can be found on the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.

Form the dredge: In a medium sized bowl whisk together the flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Dredge the chicken thighs through the flour mixture.
Cook the thighs: In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook for about 4 minutes per side or until crispy. Don’t worry if the chicken isn’t cooked through completely. We’ll continue cooking it later. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
Form the flavor base:In the same skillet, add the remaining tbsp of olive oil. Add the onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, thyme and stir. Cook for about 1 minute, just until the garlic gets aromatic and the onion begins to soften a bit. At this point you can season with a bit of salt and pepper.
Cook the orzo: Add the orzo to the skillet, pour in the wine, chicken broth and stir. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a medium. Add the chicken back to the skillet, cover with a lid and cook for about 10 minutes or until the orzo is cooked through, stirring occasionally.
Finish the dish: Garnish with kalamata olives, feta cheese, parsley and lemon wedges. Serve while warm.

Don’t Want To Use Wine?

You don’t have to use wine if you’d prefer not to! Chicken broth will substitute 1 for 1 just as easily.

Using Chicken Breast In Place Of Thigh

If you use chicken breasts, cut them in half first so that they cook through, otherwise cook it exactly as you would normally!

What Else Can I Add To My Greek Chicken Orzo

Another great thing about this recipe, besides it being, quick, one pot and delicious, is the fact that it’s quite versatile. Although I give you a basic recipe here, feel free to add what you’d like to bulk it up a bit!

Veggies

Spinach
Broccoli
Asparagus
Peas
Mushrooms

Meat

This dish would taste amazing with a bit of bacon or pancetta.

Starches

You don’t just have just use orzo, you can use some other starches if you’d like! I’m just obsessed with orzo lately, because you know what, it only takes about 6 minutes to cook!

Rice, long grain like Basmati to prevent stickiness
Couscous
Any small small shaped pasta

Storing Leftover Greek Chicken Orzo

Fridge

Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container in for 3 to 5 days.

Freezer

Freeze in an airtight container for 1 to 2 months.

More Delicious Orzo Recipes To Try:

Orzo is such an under-appreciated pasta so add it to your weekly dinner rotation, trust me.

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One Pot Greek Chicken Orzo

4.85 from 13 votes

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 20 mins

Total: 30 mins

Author: Joanna Cismaru

Serves:

Print Pin Rate

This One Pot Greek Chicken Orzo is a perfect midweek meal. It's quick, delicious and loaded with Greek flavors. Less stress, more flavor!

Equipment

12-inch Cast Iron Skillet

Ingredients

1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt or to taste
1/4 tsp pepper or to taste
8 chicken thighs boneless and skinless
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tbsp dried oregano
1 tbsp fresh thyme chopped
1 1/2 cups orzo dry
1 cup white wine
2 cups chicken broth low sodium
3/4 cup kalamata olives pitted
1/4 cup feta cheese crumbled
2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
1/2 lemon cut into wedges

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

In a medium sized bowl whisk together the flour, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Dredge the chicken thighs through the flour mixture.
In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs and cook for about 4 minutes per side or until crispy. Don't worry if the chicken isn't cooked through completely. We'll continue cooking it later. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the remaining tbsp of olive oil. Add the onion, garlic, red pepper flakes, oregano, thyme and stir. Cook for about 1 minute, just until the garlic gets aromatic and the onion begins to soften a bit. At this point you can season with a bit of salt and pepper.
Add the orzo to the skillet, pour in the wine, chicken broth and stir. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a medium. Add the chicken back to the skillet, cover with a lid and cook for about 10 minutes or until the orzo is cooked through, stirring occasionally.
Garnish with kalamata olives, feta cheese, parsley and lemon wedges.
Serve while warm.

Video

Recipe Notes

Use an extra cup of chicken broth if you don't want to use wine.
If you use chicken breasts, cut them in half first so that they cook through.
You can use rice instead of orzo in this recipe.
The skillet I used is a 14 inch paella pan, you can find it here.
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container in for 3 to 5 days.
Freeze in an airtight container for 1 to 2 months.
Please note that nutritional information can vary greatly based on products used.

Nutrition Information:

Calories: 658kcal (33%)Carbohydrates: 45g (15%)Protein: 34g (68%)Fat: 35g (54%)Saturated Fat: 9g (56%)Cholesterol: 153mg (51%)Sodium: 675mg (29%)Potassium: 609mg (17%)Fiber: 4g (17%)Sugar: 3g (3%)Vitamin A: 972IU (19%)Vitamin C: 11mg (13%)Calcium: 93mg (9%)Iron: 3mg (17%)

Course:Dinner, Lunch, Main Course

Cuisine:Greek

Keyword:chicken orzo, greek chicken orzo, one pot recipes

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Meet jo

I’m Joanna (Jo for short) and this is my blog where I share with you my culinary adventures. Here you will find a variety of recipes using simple everyday ingredients and creating wonderful, delicious and comforting meals, including some decadent desserts.

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Sausage Pepper Pasta

Skillet White Chicken Lasagna

One Pot Greek Chicken Orzo

One Pot Greek Chicken Orzo

What Is Orzo?

Ingredients In One Pot Greek Chicken Orzo

How To Make One Pot Greek Chicken Orzo

Don’t Want To Use Wine?

Using Chicken Breast In Place Of Thigh