If you’re looking for a dish that’s flavorful, satisfying, and refreshingly simple, look no further than Easy Mediterranean Chicken and Orzo. Bursting with bright flavors and wholesome ingredients, this one-pan meal brings a taste of the Mediterranean straight to your dinner table with minimal cleanup and maximum flavor.
At its core, this dish features tender, golden-browned chicken thighs or breasts simmered with orzo pasta, a rice-shaped pasta that absorbs all the savory juices and Mediterranean spices. Infused with garlic, lemon, oregano, and a splash of olive oil, every bite is layered with warmth and zest.
What makes this recipe truly shine is the combination of classic Mediterranean ingredients—juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach or kale, and crumbled feta cheese stirred in just before serving. These additions bring brightness, saltiness, and a touch of creamy tang that beautifully balance the richness of the chicken and orzo.
Not only is this meal vibrant and delicious, but it also comes together quickly, making it perfect for busy weeknights. Everything cooks in one pan, meaning you spend less time washing dishes and more time enjoying a nourishing, well-rounded meal. It’s also highly customizable—swap in sun-dried tomatoes, roasted red peppers, or artichoke hearts based on what you have on hand.
Serve it straight from the skillet with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or basil. Whether you’re feeding a hungry family or prepping lunch for the week, Mediterranean Chicken and Orzo is a smart, feel-good choice that brings the sunny flavors of Greece and Italy to your home kitchen.
Simple, healthy, and full of fresh ingredients—this dish is proof that dinner doesn’t need to be complicated to be incredible.
Ingredients
- 200 grams chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1/4 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
Instructions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil. Add the orzo and cook, stirring frequently, until it begins to brown lightly.
- Pour in water as per package instructions for orzo, add oregano, and cook until the orzo is al dente and the water is absorbed.
- Stir in the cherry tomatoes and spinach, and cook until the spinach is wilted.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet, and add lemon juice. Stir everything to combine.
- Serve warm, topped with crumbled feta cheese.
Nutrition
Yum! This reminds me of my trip to Greece. Love the feta cheese on top! Will recommend to my friends.
Why not just use rice? Orzo is overrated tbh. 🤷♂️
I think orzo adds a special texture to the dish! Rice is good, but orzo is just different and more fun. 😄
This recipe was a hit at dinner! So easy to make and delicious. Definitely doing it again! 😊
Delish! I added some olives too. Who doesn’t love a Mediterranean vibe?
Olives sound great! I love adding my own twist to recipes. What kind did you use?
Not bad, but I feel like it needed more flavor. Maybe some garlic or seasoning? 🤔
Easy, but my orzo turned out mushy. Followed the instructions exactly, not sure what went wrong. 😩
Yum! I added some olives too, and that made it even better. Thanks for sharing!
Quick and easy, but the chicken didn’t cook through for me. Be careful!
I didn’t have feta, used cheddar instead. Not the same but still good.
Cheddar?! Really? That’s different but I guess it can work. I think feta adds a nice tangy flavor though.
I don’t like feta anyway. Cheddar sounds like a better choice! Gotta try it that way next time!
I mean, it’s okay. But why is there orzo? Just use rice! 🙄
Took me longer than 20 minutes, but it was worth it! 😅
This recipe is so easy and delicious! I love how all the flavors blend together. A big hit at my family dinner!
Too much lemon for my taste. It overpowered everything. 2/5.
I swapped chicken for tofu since I’m vegetarian. Still came out pretty good!
This was delicious! Loved the flavors, especially the feta on top. Will make again!
I tried this last night but used quinoa instead of orzo. It wasn’t the same 😢.
Quinoa is healthy but yeah, it’s not the same as orzo. Maybe try it again with orzo next time! 😊
Not really convinced by the chicken and pasta combo. Just feel weird.
So many steps! I’m not a chef but I made it! Yay me!
What’s orzo? I thought it was a type of fish. 🤷♂️ Anyway, my pasta was too mushy.
Yum! So fresh and tasty! I added some olives too. This will be my go-to dish!
Is it healthy? I want to lose weight but this looks kinda heavy.
It looks delicious! Just watch your portion sizes, and it can fit into a healthy diet. 🌱
Just made this and it’s so easy! I’m not a cook, and it turned out great!
Tasted amazing! My kids even liked it, which is a miracle. 👍
This recipe is like super good, but mine came out all mushy…what did I do wrong? 🤔
Maybe you added too much water? Or didn’t cook the orzo long enough? It’s easy to mess that part up! 🙈
Is this really Mediterranean? I thought they use different spices? 🤷♂️