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Easy One-Pot Chicken & Orzo with Lemon & Olives Recipe

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This bright and flavorful dish combines juicy, tender chicken thighs, nutty orzo pasta, tangy lemon, and briny kalamata olives to create a satisfying and comforting meal. Because the one-pot recipe comes together quickly, makes it an excellent option for a quick weeknight dinner or a simple yet impressive dish for entertaining. Our recipe is a must-try for anyone looking for a delicious and comforting meal that is easy to make and filled with amazing flavors!

Mediterranean Chicken and Orzo with Lemon and Olives

Easy One-Pot Baked Recipe

Mediterranean cuisine is known for its fresh and vibrant flavors, incorporating a variety of fruits, vegetables, and aromatic herbs. You’ll love this Mediterranean chicken and orzo recipe with lemon and olives because it comes together quickly and easily with minimal fuss.

As it bakes in the oven, the lemon reveals a refreshing acidity that balances out the saltiness of the olives. At the same time, the orzo instantly soaks up all the luscious chicken juices and fruit flavors, becoming oh-so-tender without getting mushy.

A beautifully captured image of a plate filled with vibrant and aromatic Chicken & Orzo with Lemon & Olives, accompanied by a yellow lemon slice and a few olive pieces.

ABOUT THIS RECIPE (per serving)

Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.

Gluten FreeDairy FreeNut FreeQuick & EasyHealthy ChoicesSoy Free
Servings:  6 to 8 people
AVG. Maker RATING: 
5 from 1 vote
Write a Recipe Review
Prep Time :15 minutes
Cook Time :30 minutes
Total Time :45 minutes
Course : Dinner, Entrée, Lunch, Supper
Cuisine : Mediterranean
Diet : Gluten Free
Calories 562
Fat 34
Carbohydrates 33
Protein 32

Why you should make this recipe...

This is the dish to make if you want something easy, flavorful, and healthy. Or maybe something to impress the in-laws or other folks. It’s also great if you need make-ahead freezer meals for protein-packed lunches. Need I twist your arm more?

Just in case you haven’t guessed by now, I’m trying to convince you that you’ll be happy that this dish almost always fits the bill.

So, let’s delve deeper into the ingredients and our cooking method to master the recipe and enjoy a mouth-watering culinary experience.

Take your taste buds on a trip to the Mediterranean with our one-pot Chicken and Orzo with fresh lemon and briny olives! #Mediterranean #Chicken #Orzo #Lemon #Olives #Foodie #FoodLove #Healthy #Recipe #CookingGfreeDeliciously @GfreeDelicious

Lemon & Olives in Mediterranean Cooking

When it comes to Mediterranean cuisine, lemon and olives are two ingredients that are considered essential in many dishes. Both fruits offer a unique taste that adds depth and flavor to many Mediterranean dishes. Let’s look at how these two ingredients are used in Mediterranean cooking.

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Fresh Herbs to Dry Herbs + Common Cooking Conversions
Fresh Herbs to Dry Herbs + Common Cooking Conversions

Fresh Herbs to Dry Herbs + Common Cooking Conversions

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  • Metric Volume Conversions
  • Metric Weight Conversions
  • Cooking & Oven Temperatures – Fahrenheit (°F) • Celsius (°C)

Before we go...

We hope you’ll love this recipe as much as we do!

This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you want something easy, flavorful, and healthy. The combination of lemon and olives gives the dish a bright and tangy flavor, while the chicken and orzo make it hearty and satisfying.

To print or save the recipe, scroll down for the recipe card below. Then try it tonight and enjoy a taste of the Mediterranean in your home!

Thanks for stopping by. Have a happy time cooking!

XXO

Kymberley

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A beautifully captured image of a plate filled with vibrant and aromatic Chicken & Orzo with Lemon & Olives, accompanied by a yellow lemon slice and a few olive pieces.
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A beautifully captured image of a plate filled with vibrant and aromatic Chicken & Orzo with Lemon & Olives, accompanied by a yellow lemon slice and a few olive pieces.

Chicken & Orzo with Lemon & Olives

Kymberley @GFreeDeliciously
Our Chicken & Orzo with Lemon & Olives boasts tender chicken with hearty orzo, zesty lemon, and briny olives, all coming together in one mouthwatering dish where everyone asks for seconds. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or an impressive weekend meal. Get ready to impress your taste buds with this simple yet delicious recipe!
5 from 1 vote
Gluten FreeDairy FreeNut FreeQuick & EasyHealthy ChoicesSoy Free
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dinner, Entrée, Lunch, Supper
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 6 to 8 people
Calories 562 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Heavy Dutch Oven or large oven-proof Stockpot [1] with a cover
  • 1 Cutting Board
  • Utensils (Cooks Knife, Measuring Cups & Spoons, Tongs, Wooden Spoon)
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Ingredients
  

  • 8 Chicken Thighs, skins on
  • 1 ½ teaspoons Salt
  • 1 teaspoon black Pepper
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 ½ cups gluten-free Orzo pasta
  • 3 cups low sodium Chicken Broth, or Stock
  • 1 large Garlic clove, minced
  • 1 small Lemon cut into eight wedges and seeds removed
  • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed Lemon Juice
  • ¾ cup Kalamata Olives pitted and cut in half
  • 1 large Bay Leaf
  • 3 tablespoons fresh Oregano, divided [2]

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Season the chicken, covering all sides with salt and pepper.
  • Heat the olive oil in a heavy Dutch oven [2] or large, oven-proof stockpot over medium-high heat. Working in batches, brown the chicken thighs on all sides for about five minutes. When browned, remove from the pan.
    8 Chicken Thighs,, 1 ½ teaspoons Salt, 1 teaspoon black Pepper
  • Add the orzo to the pot, stir, letting it toast in the chicken fat until it begins to turn lightly golden in color. Once toasted, add the chicken broth, stirring to deglaze, and remove any browned or stuck-on bits from the pot. Immediately add the garlic, lemon wedges, lemon juice, olives, bay leaf, and half of the oregano, stirring lightly to combine. Lastly, return the chicken to the pot, arranging it in the orzo mixture to not crowd the chicken. Cover and transfer to the preheated oven. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the chicken meat is firm and chicken juices run clear.
    2 tablespoons Olive Oil, 1 ½ cups gluten-free Orzo pasta, 3 cups low sodium Chicken Broth,, 1 large Garlic clove,, 1 small Lemon, 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed Lemon Juice, ¾ cup Kalamata Olives, 1 large Bay Leaf, 3 tablespoons fresh Oregano,
  • Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary; sprinkle with the remaining oregano before serving.

Kitchen Notes

This recipe can easily be doubled and made with chicken legs. We suggest using a good-quality chicken broth; homemade chicken stock is even better!
Footnotes:
[1] You’ll want to choose a Dutch oven or oven-proof stockpot with enough surface area not to crowd the chicken in the orzo when combined.
[2] Or substitute with three teaspoons of dried oregano.

To Ensure Your Recipe Success:
  • Choose a heavy Dutch oven or large, oven-proof stockpot with enough surface area to prevent the chicken from being crowded when arranged in the orzo.
  • You can easily substitute chicken legs if you don’t have chicken thighs.
  • Toast the orzo in the chicken fat until golden brown.
  • Use good-quality chicken broth; homemade chicken stock is even better!
  • Deglaze the pot with the chicken broth before adding the remaining ingredients.
  • Deseed the lemon.
  • If you don’t have fresh oregano, substitute dried oregano. Use three teaspoons of dried oregano for each (one) tablespoon of fresh oregano called for in the recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 562kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 32gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 148mgSodium: 999mgPotassium: 540mgFiber: 3gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 229IUVitamin C: 1mgVitamin D: 0.1µgCalcium: 76mgIron: 3mg
Keyword bay leaf, chicken, chicken broth, chicken legs, chicken stock, chicken thighs, kalamata olives, lemon, lemon juice, olive oil, olives, oregano, orzo
Tried this recipe?Review it ! Or leave a comment. It’s super helpful for others and us!

Recipe Card with Nutrition powered by WP Recipe Maker

(Nutritional values are an approximation. Actual nutritional values may vary due to preparation techniques, variations related to suppliers, regional and seasonal differences, or rounding.)

Copyright © 2017-2023 Kymberley Pekrul | GfreeDeliciously | gfreedeliciously.com | All content and photographs are copyright protected. The sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. However, copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please read my Photo Use Policy for detailed guidelines and further clarification.

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Kymberley @gfreedeliciously

Kymberley @gfreedeliciously

Hi, I'm Kymberley, the creator of GfreeDeliciously and the Amazing, Glorious Journey Programs. I pray that my work will inspire you to honor your body through God and Good Food from the inside out, all while enjoying your Amazing, Glorious Journey!

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