One-Pot Greek Lemon Chicken with Orzo

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs simmered with orzo pasta, lemon, and fresh herbs in a single pot for a comforting Mediterranean meal. This greek-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, olive oil, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Greek cuisine 520 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Season 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs with 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp dried oregano. Sear chicken skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and crisp, then flip and cook 3 minutes more. Remove chicken and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté in the rendered fat for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 4 cups chicken broth, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and 1 tsp lemon zest. Bring to a simmer, scraping up browned bits from the pan.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta. Nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the liquid, skin side up. Cover and simmer gently for 15-18 minutes until orzo is tender and chicken is cooked through.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and sprinkle 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley over the dish. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Greek Lemon Chicken with Orzo take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover One-Pot Greek Lemon Chicken with Orzo?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Greek Lemon Chicken with Orzo?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale One-Pot Greek Lemon Chicken with Orzo for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with One-Pot Greek Lemon Chicken with Orzo?

Greek chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes