Mediterranean Chicken Orzo Skillet

Mediterranean Chicken Orzo Skillet is a delicious one-pan dinner packed with juicy Greek chicken flavors and vegetables like broccoli, sweet potato, and red onion, all simmered in a creamy orzo and cooked in one skillet. Delicious, easy, and perfect for weeknight meals!

Love Mediterranean chicken? Try Lemon Chicken and Orzo or Sheet Pan Greek Chicken too!

What I Love About This Recipe

Much like our always-popular Mexican Lasagna Skillet or Greek Chicken and Orzo Skillet, this meal is equally delicious and easy to make! The chicken is incredibly flavored, and when simmered with the orzo, it's a feast worth repeating!

For me, I'm always looking for broccoli dishes, like our 15 Minute Chicken and Broccoli recipe, and sweet potato recipes like our Sweet Potato Breakfast Casserole. When you can combine these two favorites, it's a little bit of heaven!

Ingredients

Ingredient measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post, but here is a quick list of what you need to make this simple one-pot dinner!

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs or thin-sliced chicken breasts
• Sweet potato, peeled and chopped into ½-inch pieces
• Carrots, peeled and chopped
• Red onion, chopped
• Broccoli florets or cauliflower florets (or a mix of both)
• Dry orzo pasta (you can also use whole-grain orzo)
• Seasoning: dried oregano, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes (optional but delicious) and salt and pepper
• Half and Half for the creamy sauce
• Toppings: halved cherry tomatoes, feta, and fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or rosemary

How to Make Mediterranean Chicken Orzo

Here's how to make this simple one-skillet dinner, which is ready in about 40 minutes.

Begin by preheating the oven to 400℉. You will need a large (12-inch) oven-safe skillet (like a cast-iron skillet).

• Step 1: Combine the rub by mixing 1 tablespoon olive oil, oregano, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.

• Step 2: Rub the chicken with the rub until thoroughly coated.

• Step 3: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a 12-inch skillet. When the oil is shimmering, add the chicken and cook for about 3-5 minutes per side. Then, remove it to a nearby plate.

• Step 4: Add the garlic to the skillet and saute for 1 minute. Add sweet potato, carrots, and onion; cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.

• Step 5: Add the dry orzo and saute for 1-2 minutes or until lightly golden. Add 1 ½ cups water, bring to a boil, and cook for 3-5 minutes.

• Step 6: Then stir in the half-and-half and broccoli or cauliflower. Slide the chicken and any juices into the skillet. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes.

Serving

To serve, top with cherry tomatoes, feta, and fresh herbs like basil, parsley, or fresh rosemary if desired.

Chicken Orzo Variations

This simple chicken and orzo recipe is easy to adapt to the season or your preferences. Here are some vegetable substitutions I particularly like to add or substitute:

• Vegetables: chopped zucchini, sweet onion, green onions, or corn are delicious options.
• Half and Half: to make it dairy-free, coconut milk could be substituted.

More Mediterranean Chicken Recipes to Try

• One Skillet Mediterranean Lemon Chicken and Orzo
• Easy Cilantro Lime Chicken
• Greek Chicken Skillet with Asparagus
• One Pan Caprese Pesto Chicken Orzo
• Mediterranean Greek Chicken Souvlaki

More Skillet Recipes to Try