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chicken thighs and orzo
Sofia

Chicken Thighs and Orzo

A flavorful one-pan meal with juicy seared chicken thighs and tender orzo pasta simmered in a savory, herb-infused broth. Cozy, satisfying, and done in under an hour!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Calories: 540
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 2¼ cups chicken broth
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • Juice of ½ lemon plus zest, optional
  • 1½ cups baby spinach optional
  • ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese optional
  • Fresh parsley or basil for garnish

Method
 

  1. Season and Sear Chicken:
  2. Pat chicken thighs dry and season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high. Sear chicken skin-side down for 5–6 minutes until golden, then flip and cook 2–3 minutes more. Remove and set aside.
  3. Sauté Aromatics:
  4. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium. Add chopped onion and garlic, sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Toast Orzo:
  6. Stir in orzo and toast for 1–2 minutes until slightly golden.
  7. Add Broth and Herbs:
  8. Pour in chicken broth, oregano, lemon juice, and zest if using. Stir and bring to a simmer.
  9. Combine and Cook:
  10. Nestle chicken thighs back into the pan, skin-side up. Cover and simmer on low for 20–25 minutes, until orzo is tender and chicken is fully cooked (165°F internal temperature).
  11. Finish:
  12. Remove lid. Stir in spinach and Parmesan if using, and cook for 1–2 minutes until wilted. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.
  13. Serve:
  14. Garnish with fresh herbs and enjoy warm.

Notes

  • Add-ins: Sun-dried tomatoes, olives, or artichokes pair beautifully with this dish.
  • Creamy twist: Stir in a splash of cream or more cheese for extra richness.
  • No oven-safe skillet? Do all steps on the stove—just be sure to cover tightly when simmering.
  • Storage: Refrigerate leftovers up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of broth to loosen the orzo.