Authentic Greek Lemon Chicken with Orzo

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-25 · Updated 2026-03-25

Zesty lemon and herbs infuse tender chicken and fluffy orzo in a single-pan dish that captures the essence of Greek coastal cooking. This Mediterranean recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, orzo pasta, lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 4 (6 oz each) chicken thighs
• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 2 (1 each) lemon
• 4 cloves garlic
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1/4 cup (chopped) fresh parsley
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 chicken thighs (6 oz each) and cook 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown and nearly cooked through. Remove and set aside.
2. Step 2: In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and sauté 4 minced garlic cloves for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 1 cup orzo pasta and cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly until coated in oil.
3. Step 3: Squeeze juice from 2 lemons (1 each) into the skillet. Add 1 tbsp dried oregano, 1/4 cup chopped parsley (fresh), 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp pepper. Stir to combine.
4. Step 4: Return chicken to the skillet. Pour in 1/4 cup water (room temperature) and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Simmer 10 minutes until chicken is tender and orzo is al dente. Garnish with additional parsley before serving.