Mediterranean Chicken Orzo Recipe
This Mediterranean Chicken Orzo is a vibrant, flavorful one-pot meal that features tender shredded chicken, fresh spinach, tangy feta cheese, and a medley of Mediterranean ingredients like Kalamata olives, capers, and cherry tomatoes, all simmered together with orzo pasta in a light white wine and chicken broth sauce. Perfect for a comforting yet healthy dinner that comes together quickly on the stovetop.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup little tomatoes (grape, cherry, etc.) cut into halves
- 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and cut into halves
- 1 tablespoon capers, drained
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 2.5 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups cooked shredded or rotisserie chicken
- 2 cups (packed) fresh baby spinach
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics and Orzo: In a pot over medium-high heat, add the olive oil, butter, tomatoes, olives, capers, dried oregano, minced garlic, and uncooked orzo pasta. Once the butter melts, cook this mixture for 2 minutes while stirring frequently to combine the flavors and lightly toast the orzo.
- Add Wine and Simmer: Pour in the dry white wine and let it bubble gently for about 30 seconds. Then stir in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to medium or medium-low to maintain a simmer. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring often to prevent the orzo from sticking and ensuring the liquid reduces just enough as the pasta cooks.
- Incorporate Chicken, Spinach, and Feta: Stir in the cooked shredded chicken, fresh baby spinach, and crumbled feta cheese. Remove the pot from heat and cover it. Let it sit for 3-5 minutes until the spinach wilts, the feta softens slightly, and additional broth is absorbed.
- Season and Serve: Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Serve the Mediterranean Chicken Orzo immediately for a warm, hearty meal.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken to save prep time.
- Adjust the amount of chicken broth slightly if you prefer a creamier or drier orzo consistency.
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute white wine with additional chicken broth or white grape juice.
- Make sure to stir regularly during cooking to prevent the orzo from sticking and burning.
- Fresh baby spinach can be substituted with other leafy greens like kale or arugula.
Keywords: Mediterranean chicken orzo, orzo pasta recipe, easy chicken dinner, one pot meal, healthy Mediterranean recipe, stovetop orzo with chicken
Find it online: https://frommamamaya.com/mediterranean-chicken-orzo-recipe/
