Description
This Broccoli Chicken Orzo Bake is a comforting, flavorful one-pan meal featuring tender chicken, bright lemon, creamy feta, and nutritious broccoli all baked together with orzo pasta to create a luscious, easy-to-make dinner perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasonings
- 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/8-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes, depending on your spice preference
Orzo and Flavorings
- 1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest (about 1 lemon’s worth)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, more to taste
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, more to taste (at the end)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups chicken broth, heated
Vegetables and Cheese
- 3/4 pound broccoli, chopped small (about 5 cups)
- 6-8 ounces crumbled feta cheese, divided
Garnish
- 1/4 cup fresh dill
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 375°F to prepare for baking the dish.
- Brown the Chicken: Pat the chicken pieces dry and season them with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in an ovenproof skillet or braiser over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until golden brown on both sides, forming a crust which prevents sticking. Avoid stirring excessively. After browning, add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté for 1 minute, then turn off the heat.
- Assemble the Dish: You can choose to bake in the same skillet or transfer contents to a 9 x 13-inch baking dish. Combine the browned chicken with lemon zest, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, onion powder, salt, pepper, and uncooked orzo in the pan or dish. Pour the boiling-hot chicken broth over the mixture and stir to combine evenly. Add the chopped broccoli and most of the crumbled feta cheese, reserving some for garnish. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake: Place the covered dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the liquid is absorbed and the orzo is tender.
- Stir and Adjust: Remove from oven, stir well to incorporate broccoli and melted feta; this creates a creamy sauce. If the orzo is not fully cooked, cover and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes. If the dish seems dry, add a splash of water, broth, or cream and stir until creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, chili flakes, and lemon juice to achieve a punchy, tangy flavor.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle remaining feta on top and optionally broil briefly to brown the cheese. Garnish with fresh dill and serve with lemon wedges on the side for extra brightness.
Notes
- You can bake the dish in the same ovenproof skillet or transfer to a baking dish depending on your preference.
- Be careful not to over-stir the chicken when browning to get a good crust and prevent sticking.
- If you prefer a creamier texture, adding a splash of cream toward the end will enhance the sauce.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to desired spice level.
- Broiling the top with feta cheese adds a nice golden crust but is optional.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American