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Top view of Greek Roasted Chicken with Lemon Orzo in a gray braising pan
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Greek Roasted Chicken with Lemon Orzo

Greek Roasted Chicken with Lemon Orzo is a simple, delicious Mediterranean meal. This family style juicy, tender chicken is one you'll love.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 505kcal
Author: Stephanie Wilson

Ingredients

Greek Roast Chicken

  • 4 lbs whole chicken
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil extra virgin
  • 1 lemon juiced and zested
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper freshly cracked

Orzo

  • 1 cup dry orzo
  • 2 cups chicken stock boiling
  • 3 garlic cloves smashed
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 lemon sliced
  • ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley (or oregano), chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • Place whole chicken in an ovenproof baking dish that measures 12 inches in diameter. Truss the chicken legs with kitchen twine and tuck the wings under the body of the chicken.
    Top view of uncooked whole chicken with trussed legs ready for roasting.
  • In a bowl mix the olive oil, lemon juice and zest, oregano, salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper, if using. Mix until combined.
    Brushing olive oil and oregano Greek chicken marinade over whole chicken in roasting pan
  • Rub the outside of the chicken with the olive oil marinade.
    Unbaked whole chicken in braising pan, marinaded and ready for roasting
  • Roast the chicken for 50 minutes.

Orzo

  • Meanwhile, bring the chicken stock to a boil and add ½ teaspoon of dried oregano. Keep hot until you add the orzo to the roasting pan.
  • Once the chicken has roasted for about 50 minutes, sprinkle orzo around the base of the chicken and pour in boiling seasoned stock. Scatter the smashed garlic around the base and top with lemon slices that have their seeds removed.
  • Return to the oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the pasta has absorbed the liquid and when checked with an instant-read thermometer, the chicken has reached 165°F in the thickest part of the breast.
  • Top the orzo with feta and stir in fresh chopped parsley. Serve from the baking dish family style.

Nutrition

Calories: 505kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 115mg | Sodium: 663mg | Potassium: 494mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 358IU | Vitamin C: 23mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 3mg