Description
Bright, zesty, and bursting with Mediterranean flavor, this Lemon Herb Chicken & Mediterranean Orzo with Olives is a complete meal that feels like a sunny escape. Juicy lemon-marinated chicken tops a warm orzo salad tossed with tomatoes, olives, feta, and herbs. It’s ready in just 35 minutes and perfect for meal prep, weeknight dinners, or impressive gatherings!
Ingredients
- For the Chicken:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
- For the Orzo:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup orzo pasta
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup kalamata olives, sliced
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken: In a small bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, zest, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Rub the mixture over the chicken breasts. Let them marinate for at least 15 minutes.
Cook the Chicken: Grill or pan-sear the chicken over medium heat for 6–7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked. Set aside to rest, then slice thinly.
Toast the Orzo: In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the orzo and toast for 1-2 minutes, stirring often, until lightly golden.
Simmer: Pour in the chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 8–10 minutes, until orzo is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed.
Add the Goodies: Stir in cherry tomatoes, olives, feta, parsley, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper.
Assemble & Serve: Top the orzo with sliced lemon herb chicken. Garnish with extra parsley or feta if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
Want a vegetarian version? Swap the chicken with grilled halloumi or chickpeas and use veggie broth.
Add spinach or arugula toward the end for an extra nutrient boost.
Leftovers taste amazing chilled—just serve it as a cold pasta salad the next day!
This dish is perfect for meal prep—just keep the chicken and orzo stored separately until ready to reheat and combine.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop, Skillet
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 1/4 of total)
- Calories: 460 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Lemon chicken and orzo, Mediterranean chicken, easy chicken dinner, feta orzo recipe, chicken and olives pasta