Description
A flavorful one skillet dish combining seared chicken thighs, toasted orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh herbs, finished with creamy tzatziki sauce. Perfect for a hearty and easy Mediterranean-inspired dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 6 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 pinch chili flakes
- kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs or breast
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
Orzo and Broth
- 1 1/2 cups dry orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
- 1/2 cup mixed herbs, such as basil and thyme
Topping
- 1-2 cups tzatziki sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400° F to prepare for baking the chicken and orzo.
- Marinate the chicken: In a bowl, combine the chicken with 2 tablespoons olive oil, tomato paste, smoked paprika, chopped garlic, lemon zest, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Sear the chicken: Heat a large oven-safe skillet over high heat and add the marinated chicken pieces. Sear them on both sides until golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes total. In the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the butter to the skillet for added flavor.
- Remove chicken and prepare orzo: Take the chicken out of the skillet and set aside. Add the orzo and fresh thyme to the hot skillet and cook for about 1 minute to toast the pasta.
- Add remaining ingredients: Stir in the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, chicken broth, lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. Mix in the fresh herbs thoroughly.
- Combine and bake: Place the chicken pieces back into the skillet along with any accumulated juices. Bake uncovered in the oven for 15 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Serve: Spoon the cooked chicken and orzo onto plates and top generously with tzatziki sauce. Garnish with fresh basil if desired and enjoy your meal!
Notes
- Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for juicier results or chicken breasts for a leaner option.
- If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the contents to a baking dish before placing it in the oven.
- For extra depth, you can add a splash of white wine to deglaze the pan before adding the broth.
- Tzatziki sauce can be store-bought or homemade for a fresher taste.
- Adjust chili flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stove or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
