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Easy One-Pan Greek Lemon Chicken Thighs with Feta Orzo

one-pan greek lemon chicken thighs - featured image
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A quick and easy one-pan Greek-inspired dish featuring crispy chicken thighs baked over creamy lemon orzo, finished with tangy feta and fresh parsley. Perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 lemon, juiced and zested
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup orzo pasta
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
  3. Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, and half of the dried oregano. Let sit for about 5 minutes.
  4. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
  5. Add the chicken skin side down and sear without moving for 6-7 minutes until golden and crisp. Flip and cook another 3 minutes.
  6. Remove the chicken temporarily and set aside. Pour off excess fat, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the pan.
  7. Add minced garlic and lemon zest to the skillet and stir quickly for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  8. Pour in 1 cup chicken broth and 3/4 cup orzo pasta. Stir to combine, scraping browned bits from the bottom.
  9. Return the chicken thighs on top of the orzo, skin side up. Squeeze lemon juice over everything and sprinkle remaining oregano.
  10. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and bake for 20-25 minutes until orzo is tender and chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internal temperature.
  11. Remove from oven and sprinkle crumbled feta and chopped parsley on top.
  12. Let rest uncovered for 5 minutes before serving warm directly from the pan.

Notes

Pat chicken dry to ensure crispy skin. Avoid overcrowding the pan when searing. Stir orzo gently after adding broth to prevent mushiness. If orzo seems dry during baking, add a splash more broth. Use a meat thermometer to check chicken doneness. Finish with feta just before serving to keep texture fresh.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek chicken, lemon chicken, one-pan dinner, feta orzo, easy weeknight meal, Mediterranean recipe, chicken thighs, creamy orzo

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/easy-one-pan-greek-lemon-chicken-thighs-with-feta-orzo-recipe-for-perfect-weeknight-dinner/