Name: Chicken and Orzo with Lemon and Olives Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 chicken thighs; salt and pepper; 2 Tbsp olive oil; 1 ½ cups orzo; 3 cups chicken broth; 1 garlic clove; 1 lemon; 1 tsp lemon juice; ¾ cup Kalamata olives; 1 bay leaf; 3 Tbsp oregano

Chicken and Orzo with Lemon and Olives Recipe

Jenna Hamm Modified: November 12, 2023

Photos of Chicken and Orzo with Lemon and Olives Recipe

This simple, one-pot meal is jam-packed with zesty lemon flavor and creamy orzo. You’ll want to make it again and again!

How To Make Chicken and Orzo with Lemon and Olives

This quick and easy recipe is a healthy all-in-one-meal that is perfect for family dinner. Your kids will love the tasty combination of lemon juice, spices, and chicken thighs.

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 35 mins

Total: 50 mins

Serves:

Ingredients

6 chicken thighs , or 8 drumsticks or 4 whole chicken legs
salt and pepper , to taste
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 ½ cups orzo
3 cups chicken broth
1 garlic clove , minced
1 lemon, cut into 8 wedges
1 tsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
¾ cup Kalamata olives
1 bay leaf
3 Tbsp oregano, divided or 1 Tbsp. dried oregano

Instructions

Heat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Season the chicken well on all sides with salt and pepper.
In a Dutch oven or large stockpot, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, brown the legs well on all sides.
Make sure to brown well for 5 to 8 minutes depending on the thickness of the chicken.
Remove from the pan.
Add the orzo, chicken stock, garlic, lemon wedges and juice, olives, bay leaf, and oregano.
Stir to combine all the ingredients, then return the chicken to the pan.
Cover and transfer to the oven.
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the chicken is done.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary, sprinkle with the remaining oregano and serve.