Description
This Greek Chicken Orzo Bake is a comforting, flavorful casserole featuring tender chicken breasts baked atop a savory mixture of orzo pasta, diced tomatoes, spinach, and crumbled feta cheese, all enhanced with classic Greek seasonings and fresh lemon zest for a bright finish. Perfect for a wholesome family dinner with Mediterranean flair.
Ingredients
Scale
Orzo Mixture
- 16 ounces orzo pasta, cooked and drained
- 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, drained
- 6 ounces crumbled feta cheese
- 4-5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ cup chicken broth
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 teaspoons Greek seasoning
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 6 ounces crumbled feta cheese (for topping)
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat and Combine: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and lightly grease a large casserole dish. In this dish, mix together the cooked orzo, drained diced tomatoes, 6 ounces of crumbled feta cheese, fresh spinach, dried oregano, and lemon juice. Pour the chicken broth evenly over the mixture.
- Season Chicken: In a separate bowl, toss the chicken pieces with Greek seasoning and olive oil until evenly coated to infuse the flavors.
- Assemble and Bake: Arrange the seasoned chicken pieces on top of the orzo mixture in the casserole dish without stirring them in. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour.
- Uncover and Finish: Remove the foil and sprinkle the lemon zest and the remaining 6 ounces of crumbled feta cheese over the casserole. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the feta is lightly browned.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, oregano, or dill for extra freshness. Serve the bake hot for a delicious and hearty meal.
Notes
- Greek seasoning can be homemade by combining dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, rosemary, and marjoram.
- Drain diced tomatoes well to prevent excess moisture in the bake.
- Use fresh lemon zest and juice for the best flavor impact.
- This dish can be prepared ahead by assembling and refrigerating before baking.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and add more vegetables or plant-based protein.
