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Five pieces of browned chicken thighs served over orzo pasta in a skillet, garnished with fresh lemon slices for Lemon Herb Chicken Orzo Skillet.

Lemon Herb Chicken Orzo Skillet

This one-pan Lemon Herb Chicken Orzo Skillet is a flavorful and easy weeknight dinner that your whole family will love. It's a comforting and satisfying meal inspired by Mediterranean flavors.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Resting Time 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 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 for garnish

Equipment

  • Oven-proof skillet

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400 °F (200 °C). Make sure you are using an oven-proof skillet.
  2. Season the chicken thighs 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 the 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. Garnish with parsley or dill.

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. To save time on busy evenings, chop the onions and prepare the chicken ahead of time. This dish pairs well with a crisp Greek salad or roasted vegetables.

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