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Close-up of golden-brown chicken thighs nestled in a skillet of Lemon Herb Chicken Orzo Skillet, garnished with herbs.

Lemon Herb Chicken Orzo Skillet

This one-pan Lemon Herb Chicken Orzo Skillet is a flavorful and comforting meal perfect for busy families. It's designed to be weeknight friendly and can accommodate gluten-free and diabetic-friendly needs.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Resting 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1.5 pounds chicken thighs or a whole chicken cut up
  • to taste salt
  • to taste freshly cracked black pepper
For the Skillet
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 onion finely chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic grated
  • 1 teaspoon dried ground coriander
  • 1 teaspoon dried crushed oregano
  • 3-4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup uncooked orzo
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill or fresh parsley

Equipment

  • Oven-proof skillet
  • Large skillet

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Ensure you are using an oven-proof skillet.
  2. Season the chicken thighs (or pieces of a whole chicken) with salt and freshly cracked black pepper on both sides.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Lower the heat to medium and add the chopped onion to the skillet. Cook until softened, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the grated garlic and cook until fragrant.
  5. Pour in 3 cups of chicken broth and the lemon juice. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add ground coriander and crushed oregano, and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
  6. Stir in the uncooked orzo and return the browned chicken to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a boil, then remove the pan from the stovetop.
  7. Place the skillet in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for about 25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked (165°F internal temperature). Garnish with parsley or dried dill.
  8. Serve with salad, feta, and olives.

Notes

For a saucier dish, add more chicken broth. For a drier texture, use less broth. You can add fresh spinach or chopped roasted red peppers during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking. Chop the onions and prepare the chicken ahead of time to save on prep time. Pair this dish with a crisp Greek salad or a side of roasted vegetables for a complete meal.

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