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Greek Chicken Orzo Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 97 reviews

A comforting and flavorful Greek Chicken Orzo Bake featuring tender chicken, creamy feta, spinach, and tangy tomatoes all baked together with aromatic lemon and oregano for a wholesome Mediterranean-inspired meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 16 ounces orzo, cooked and drained
  • 2 (14.5 ounces) cans diced tomatoes, drained
  • 12 ounces crumbled feta cheese, divided
  • 4–5 ounces spinach
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1-pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 teaspoons Greek seasoning (see notes for homemade option)
  • 1 zest from 1 lemon, about 1 tablespoon

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lightly coat a large casserole dish with cooking oil spray to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Orzo Base: In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo, drained diced tomatoes, 6 oz of crumbled feta cheese, spinach, dried oregano, and lemon juice. Stir everything together until well mixed. Pour in the chicken broth and gently combine to moisten the mixture.
  3. Season Chicken: In a separate bowl, toss the diced chicken pieces with the Greek seasoning and olive oil until the chicken is evenly coated in the mixture.
  4. Assemble Casserole: Spread the seasoned chicken pieces evenly over the orzo mixture in the casserole dish. Do not stir the chicken into the orzo layer to allow for even baking and separation.
  5. Bake Covered: Cover the casserole dish with a lid or foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour. This allows the chicken to cook fully and flavors to meld together.
  6. Finish Baking: After 1 hour, remove the cover and sprinkle the lemon zest and the remaining 6 oz crumbled feta cheese evenly over the top. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the feta is slightly golden and baked.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh herbs of your choice such as chopped parsley, basil, oregano, or dill for added freshness and aroma.

Notes

  • For Greek seasoning, you can use a mix of dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, marjoram, salt, and black pepper.
  • Make sure to drain the canned tomatoes well to avoid excess liquid in the bake.
  • Spinach can be fresh or frozen; if using frozen, thaw and drain any excess water before adding.
  • Use a good quality feta cheese for best flavor, preferably a block feta crumbled fresh.
  • Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle.

Keywords: Greek chicken orzo bake, baked orzo, Greek chicken casserole, feta cheese bake, Mediterranean chicken dish

Find it online: https://cookcrisis.com/greek-chicken-orzo-bake-recipe/