Description
Easy High Protein Mediterranean Chicken Orzo for Weeknight Wins is a delightful, nutritious dish that brings the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean to your dinner table. This one-pan meal combines tender chicken, wholesome orzo, and fresh vegetables, all simmered together in a flavorful broth. Perfect for busy weeknights, it can be prepared in just 45 minutes, making it an ideal solution for family dinners or entertaining guests. With its high protein content and colorful ingredients, this dish promises satisfaction with every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup Orzo (or small pasta like farro or quinoa)
- 1 pound Chicken Breasts
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1 Onion (diced)
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
- 2 cups Baby Spinach (chopped)
- 1/2 cup Kalamata Olives (sliced)
- 1/2 cup Feta Cheese (crumbled)
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
- Freshly squeezed juice from 2 tablespoons Lemon
- Fresh Parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Gather and prepare all ingredients: chop onion, mince garlic, halve cherry tomatoes, and slice olives.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown for about 6–8 minutes.
- Remove chicken from the skillet. In the same skillet, add onion and garlic; sauté until translucent for about 3–4 minutes.
- Add cherry tomatoes and spinach; stir until spinach wilts.
- Pour in chicken broth and orzo; stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Return cooked chicken to the skillet along with olives, feta cheese, lemon juice, oregano, basil, and parsley.
- Cook for an additional 5–7 minutes until orzo is tender but still al dente. Adjust seasoning as necessary before serving warm.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 100mg