Description
This Greek Chicken Orzo Bake is a hearty and comforting casserole featuring tender chicken breasts baked with orzo pasta, feta cheese, fresh spinach, and vibrant Mediterranean flavors like lemon, oregano, and Greek seasoning. Perfect for a family dinner, this one-dish meal combines creamy feta and perfectly cooked chicken with savory tomato and herbs for a delicious taste of Greece.
Ingredients
Scale
Orzo Mixture
- 16 ounces orzo pasta, cooked and drained
- 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes, drained
- 6 ounces crumbled feta cheese
- 4-5 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ cup chicken broth
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 3 teaspoons Greek seasoning (see notes for homemade option)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Topping
- 6 ounces crumbled feta cheese
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Preheat and Combine: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and lightly grease a large casserole dish. In the dish, combine cooked orzo, drained diced tomatoes, 6 ounces of crumbled feta cheese, fresh spinach, dried oregano, and lemon juice. Pour the chicken broth evenly over the mixture to keep it moist during baking.
- Season Chicken: In a separate bowl, toss the cut chicken breast pieces with Greek seasoning and olive oil until thoroughly coated. This will infuse the chicken with classic Greek flavors and help keep it juicy.
- Assemble and Bake: Layer the seasoned chicken evenly over the orzo mixture in the casserole dish. Avoid stirring to keep the layers distinct. Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the chicken to cook through.
- Uncover and Finish: After 1 hour, remove the foil and sprinkle the top with the lemon zest and the remaining 6 ounces of feta cheese. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the feta has lightly browned, adding a delicious crust.
- Serve: Garnish the finished bake with fresh herbs such as parsley, basil, oregano, or dill. Serve hot for a satisfying Mediterranean-inspired meal perfect for any occasion.
Notes
- Greek seasoning can be purchased pre-made or made at home by mixing dried oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, marjoram, dill, salt, and black pepper.
- Make sure to drain the canned diced tomatoes well to avoid excess moisture in the bake.
- If fresh spinach is not available, frozen spinach (thawed and drained) can be used as a substitute.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute orzo pasta with gluten-free small pasta shapes or rice.
