Skillet Chicken with Orzo & Tomatoes

(16)

In this healthy chicken recipe, chicken thighs are infused with lemon, garlic and herbs and paired with orzo that's perfectly al dente. Charred tomatoes and onions add full flavor to complete this easy, one-skillet dinner.

Mediterranean Chicken Skillet
Photo: Victor Protasio
Active Time:
35 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 20 mins
Servings:
4
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 4 (6 ounce) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

  • ¼ cup fresh lemon juice, plus more for serving

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary

  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano, plus more for garnish

  • ½ teaspoon crushed fennel seeds

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

  • 1 large red onion, sliced (¼-inch)

  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes

  • 1 cup uncooked orzo

  • cup pitted Kalamata olives

  • 1 ½ cups unsalted chicken broth

  • Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish

Directions

  1. Combine chicken, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, oregano, fennel seeds and 2 tablespoons oil in a large zip-top plastic bag. Seal the bag; refrigerate for 25 to 30 minutes.

  2. Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry (discard marinade). Sprinkle the chicken evenly with salt and pepper. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Arrange the chicken, skin-side down, in the pan; cook, undisturbed, until browned and crispy, about 7 minutes. Flip and cook until browned on other side, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate. (The chicken will not be cooked through.) Do not wipe the pan clean.

  3. Add onion and tomatoes to the pan; cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until the onion is charred and the tomatoes are blistered, about 5 minutes.

  4. Preheat oven to broil with rack in center position. Add orzo and olives to the mixture in the skillet; stir to combine. Stir in broth. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and nestle the chicken, skin-side up, into the mixture. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until the orzo is al dente and a thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of chicken registers 165°F, 14 to 15 minutes.

  5. Remove from heat; let stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Uncover and broil until the chicken skin is crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Garnish with parsley, oregano and a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired. Serve immediately.

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, January 2021; updated September 2022

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

641 Calories
37g Fat
44g Carbs
32g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 chicken thigh, about ½ cup vegetables & about ½ cup orzo
Calories 641
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 44g 16%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Total Sugars 6g
Protein 32g 64%
Total Fat 37g 47%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 142mg 47%
Vitamin A 755IU 15%
Sodium 703mg 31%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Related Articles