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One Pot Feta Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta Recipe

One Pot Feta Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta Recipe
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★★★★★

4.8 from 9 reviews

This One Pot Feta Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta is a delightful, easy-to-make dish combining tender chicken, tangy feta, fresh lemon, and tender orzo pasta all baked together for a flavorful and comforting meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4–6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1–½ pounds), diced
  • 1 small onion, diced fine
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated
  • 2 teaspoons coarse kosher salt
  • 1 pound orzo
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest (from 1–2 lemons)
  • ¼ cup lemon juice
  • 1 zucchini or summer squash, shredded
  • 8 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
  • Chopped basil or dill for serving

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425ºF to prepare for baking the dish later.
  2. Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add diced chicken thighs and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is lightly golden on all sides, about 6 to 8 minutes.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onions, minced garlic, and kosher salt to the skillet. Cook, stirring often, until the onions begin to soften and become translucent.
  4. Add Orzo and Stock: Stir in the orzo pasta and chicken stock, mixing well to combine all ingredients. Increase the heat to high and bring the liquid to a boil. Once boiling, turn off the heat.
  5. Add Lemon and Vegetables: Stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, shredded zucchini (or summer squash), and crumbled feta cheese evenly throughout the skillet. Cover the skillet with a lid to keep it sealed.
  6. Bake: Transfer the covered skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and has absorbed the flavors.
  7. Finish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and stir well to melt the feta cheese throughout the dish. Garnish with chopped fresh basil or dill and serve immediately for a fresh, vibrant meal.

Notes

  • Use boneless skinless chicken thighs for tender, juicy pieces; chicken breasts can be substituted if preferred but may be less juicy.
  • The zucchini adds moisture and freshness, but you can also use other summer squash varieties or omit if unavailable.
  • Ensure the skillet you use is oven-safe to safely bake the dish.
  • Adjust salt to taste, especially if your chicken stock is salted.
  • For an herbaceous twist, try adding fresh oregano or thyme along with the basil or dill garnish.

Nutrition

Keywords: One pot meal, feta chicken pasta, lemon orzo, easy chicken dinner, Mediterranean pasta dish

Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/one-pot-feta-lemon-chicken-orzo-pasta-recipe/