Description
Mediterranean chicken and orzo brings Mediterranean sunshine to your dinner table with a perfect blend of herbs, tender chicken, and hearty orzo. Colorful ingredients create a delightful meal that transports you to coastal Greece with each comforting bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
Pasta and Base:
- 1 ½ cups (300 g) orzo pasta
- 3 cups (720 ml) chicken broth
Vegetables and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1 cup baby spinach
- ⅓ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- ½ cup (75 g) crumbled feta cheese
Seasonings and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Craft a robust spice blend by combining garlic powder, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper in a compact mixing vessel.
- Meticulously coat both surfaces of the chicken with the aromatic seasoning mixture, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Ignite a large skillet over medium-high heat, introducing a drizzle of olive oil to create a sizzling cooking surface.
- Carefully position the seasoned chicken into the heated skillet, allowing each side to develop a golden-brown crust that seals in the flavors.
- Monitor the chicken’s cooking process, rotating once to achieve an even caramelization and ensuring the internal temperature reaches a safe 75C/165F – approximately 5-7 minutes per side.
- Once perfectly cooked, transfer the chicken to a resting plate, preserving its juiciness and warmth.
- Elevate the dish’s brightness by delicately squeezing fresh lemon juice over the chicken, infusing it with a vibrant, citrusy essence.
- Let the chicken rest briefly, allowing the juices to redistribute and the flavors to meld harmoniously before serving.
Notes
- Toast orzo briefly before cooking to enhance its nutty flavor and prevent clumping, giving the dish a richer taste profile.
- Use fresh herbs like parsley or mint for a bright, zesty finish that complements the Mediterranean seasoning blend.
- Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts for quicker cooking and easier slicing, ensuring even seasoning and tenderness.
- Customize the spice blend by adjusting quantities or adding smoked paprika for deeper warmth, making the dish adaptable to personal preferences.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 650 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg