Lemon-Feta Chicken and Orzo

Imagine tender, juicy chicken infused with bright lemon and creamy feta, perfectly paired with plump orzo pasta that soaks up every bit of the fragrant sauce. Lemon-Feta Chicken and Orzo combines Mediterranean flavors in a one-pan wonder that delivers both comfort and sophistication to your dinner table. This vibrant dish balances tangy citrus notes with rich, salty feta for a meal that feels like sunshine on a plate. You’ll learn how to create this restaurant-worthy dish with simple ingredients and easy techniques that guarantee perfect results every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Lemon-Feta Chicken and Orzo recipe will quickly become a family favorite for so many reasons. The combination of tender chicken and creamy orzo creates a textural symphony that satisfies with every bite – crispy-skinned chicken contrasting beautifully with the soft, pillowy orzo. The bright lemon flavor cuts through the richness of the dish, while the feta adds a tangy depth that elevates the entire meal.

What makes this dish truly special is its effortless elegance. It’s simple enough for a weeknight dinner but impressive enough for entertaining guests. The entire meal comes together in one pan, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy your creation. The Mediterranean-inspired flavors transport you to a seaside taverna, even on the busiest weeknight.

Best of all, this Lemon-Feta Chicken and Orzo is incredibly versatile. It works beautifully year-round, brightening winter evenings or complementing summer nights on the patio. The ingredients are readily available, and the techniques are straightforward – making this a foolproof addition to your recipe collection.

Ingredients

For the Lemon-Feta Chicken and Orzo, you’ll need:

• 1½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 3-4 breasts)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus 1 additional tablespoon
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1½ cups uncooked orzo pasta
• 2½ cups chicken broth, low sodium
• Zest of 2 lemons
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)
• 6 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (about 1½ cups), divided
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved (optional)
• Lemon wedges, for serving

The star ingredients are the feta cheese, which should be high-quality Greek feta for the most authentic flavor, and fresh lemons for both their juice and zest. The combination of fresh herbs adds brightness to this Mediterranean chicken and orzo dish, while the orzo pasta perfectly absorbs the lemony sauce.

Pro Tips

Season Aggressively: To achieve the most flavorful Lemon-Feta Chicken and Orzo, don’t be shy with seasoning. Season the chicken on both sides and at multiple stages of cooking. This layering of flavors is what transforms a simple dish into something memorable. Allow the seasoned chicken to sit for 5-10 minutes before cooking to let the flavors penetrate the meat.

Perfect Chicken Technique: For juicy, tender chicken, sear it over medium-high heat until golden brown on both sides, but don’t cook it completely through at this stage. Remove it from the pan while you prepare the orzo, then return it to finish cooking with the pasta. This prevents the chicken from becoming tough or dry while ensuring it absorbs the lemon and herb flavors as it finishes cooking.

Manage Your Lemon Flavor: The key to balanced citrus flavor in this lemon feta orzo dish is adding lemon in stages. Add the lemon zest with the orzo to infuse it throughout cooking, but reserve the lemon juice until the end to maintain its bright, fresh flavor. Taste before serving and adjust with additional lemon juice if needed – remember, you can always add more lemon, but you can’t take it away!

Instructions

Step 1: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to ensure proper browning. In a small bowl, combine the dried oregano, garlic powder, ½ teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Season the chicken breasts evenly on both sides with this mixture.

Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and sear until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. The chicken won’t be fully cooked yet – that’s perfect! Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: In the same pan, add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds, being careful not to burn it.

Step 4: Add the uncooked orzo to the pan and stir to coat in the oil and aromatics, toasting it lightly for about 1 minute. This builds a nutty flavor foundation for your Lemon-Feta Chicken and Orzo.

Step 5: Pour in the chicken broth, lemon zest, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – those bits are pure flavor! Bring the mixture to a simmer.

Step 6: Place the seared chicken breasts back into the pan, nestling them into the orzo mixture. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10-12 minutes, until the orzo is tender and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Step 7: Remove the pan from heat. Stir in the lemon juice and half of the crumbled feta cheese, allowing it to melt slightly into the warm orzo. Gently mix in the chopped dill, parsley, and Kalamata olives if using.

Step 8: Sprinkle the remaining feta cheese over the top of the dish. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the orzo to absorb any remaining liquid. Serve your Lemon-Feta Chicken and Orzo with additional lemon wedges on the side.

Variations

Mediterranean Vegetable Lemon-Feta Orzo: Transform this Lemon-Feta Chicken and Orzo into a vegetable-forward feast by adding 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes, 1 diced red bell pepper, and 2 cups fresh spinach. Add the bell pepper with the onions, and stir in the tomatoes and spinach during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. This colorful variation increases the nutritional value while enhancing the Mediterranean profile of the dish.

Greek Shrimp and Feta Orzo: For a seafood twist, substitute the chicken with 1½ pounds of large shrimp. Season the shrimp with the same spice mixture, but add them during the last 3-4 minutes of cooking instead of at the beginning, as shrimp cook much faster than chicken. This creates an elegant lemon orzo with seafood that’s perfect for special occasions or when you’re craving something different.

Vegetarian Lemon-Feta Orzo: Create a satisfying vegetarian version by omitting the chicken and using vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Add 1 can (15 oz) of drained and rinsed chickpeas when you add the orzo, and increase the vegetables as in the first variation. This plant-based adaptation maintains all the Mediterranean flavors while offering a protein-rich meatless option.

Storage and Serving

Store leftover Lemon-Feta Chicken and Orzo in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually develop beautifully overnight, making this an excellent make-ahead meal. When reheating, add a splash of chicken broth or water to revive the orzo, as it tends to absorb liquid during storage. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave at 50% power to prevent the chicken from becoming tough.

For serving, present this Greek-inspired chicken and orzo on a large platter garnished with additional fresh herbs, lemon wedges, and a sprinkle of feta. Pair it with a simple Greek salad dressed with olive oil and red wine vinegar for a complete Mediterranean meal. For a more substantial spread, serve alongside warm pita bread and tzatziki sauce.

This dish also makes excellent meal-prep lunches – portion into individual containers and enjoy cold or reheated throughout the week. For a refreshing summer dinner, serve the Lemon-Feta Chicken and Orzo at room temperature as part of an al fresco meal with a crisp white wine like Assyrtiko or Sauvignon Blanc.

FAQs

Can I use bone-in chicken for this Lemon-Feta Chicken and Orzo?
Yes, bone-in chicken thighs or breasts work beautifully in this recipe. Increase the initial searing time to 5-6 minutes per side and expect to add 5-10 minutes to the final cooking time. Always verify doneness with a meat thermometer (165°F/74°C).

What can I substitute for orzo pasta?
If you can’t find orzo, any small pasta shape works well, such as Israeli couscous, small shells, or even arborio rice (though cooking times may vary). For a low-carb option, try cauliflower rice, reducing the liquid by half and the cooking time to about 5 minutes.

My feta cheese is very salty. Should I adjust the recipe?
Different brands of feta vary in saltiness. If your feta is particularly salty, reduce the added salt in the recipe by ¼ teaspoon and adjust to taste at the end. You can also rinse the feta briefly under cold water to remove some saltiness.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! This Lemon-Feta Chicken and Orzo can be made up to 2 days ahead. Reheat gently with a splash of broth, and add fresh herbs and a squeeze of lemon juice just before serving to brighten the flavors.

Is this recipe freezer-friendly?
While you can freeze this dish, the texture of the orzo may change slightly upon thawing. If you plan to freeze, slightly undercook the orzo and cool completely before freezing in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat with additional broth.

Conclusion

This Lemon-Feta Chicken and Orzo is comfort food with a Mediterranean twist — bright, tangy, and satisfyingly creamy with just the right balance of wholesome ingredients and indulgent flavors. It’s the kind of dish that transforms an ordinary weeknight into something special, bringing a taste of Greek sunshine to your table with minimal effort. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or hosting friends, this one-pan wonder delivers maximum flavor with minimum fuss. Master this recipe, and you’ll always have an impressive yet easy meal in your culinary arsenal.

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