Ingredients
– 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
– 1 large diced onion
– 6 cloves minced garlic
– 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
– 1 1/2 pounds cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1 pound orzo pasta
– 3 1/2 cups chicken stock
– 1 tablespoon honey
– 1 tablespoon dried Greek oregano
– 2 tablespoons lemon juice
– 1/2 cup pitted, rinsed, and chopped kalamata or gaeta olives
– 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
– 1/2 cup minced flat-leaf Italian parsley
Instructions
1-Pat the chicken thighs dry and season generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
2-Measure out all other ingredients and have them ready by your cooking area.
3-If not already prepared, dice the onion, mince the garlic, halve the cherry tomatoes, and chop the olives and parsley.
4-Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Once hot, add the seasoned chicken thighs in a single layer (working in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding). Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
5-Remove the chicken from the skillet and place on a plate. Cover with foil to keep warm while you prepare the rest of the dish.
6-In the same skillet, add the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil along with the diced onion and a pinch of salt. Cook for 5-7 minutes until soft and translucent.
7-Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, then stir in the red pepper flakes.
8-Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for about 2 minutes until they begin to soften and burst slightly.
9-Stir in the orzo pasta to coat it with the olive oil and toast it for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
10-Pour in the chicken stock, honey, and dried oregano, stirring to combine all ingredients. Bring the mixture to a boil.
11-Reduce heat to low, then nestle the cooked chicken thighs into the orzo mixture. Cover the skillet and cook for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the orzo from sticking to the bottom.
12-When the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, uncover the skillet and stir in the chopped olives and lemon juice.
13-Remove the skillet from heat. Add the minced parsley and crumbled feta cheese, stirring gently to combine. If the skillet seems too dry, add a splash of extra chicken stock and a drizzle of olive oil.
14-Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
Last Step:
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๐ด Chicken breasts can be used instead of thighs; cook them fully, slice, and add after orzo cooks.
๐ซ Use kalamata or gaeta olives for authentic Mediterranean flavor.
๐ฏ Substitute honey with 1-3 teaspoons of sugar if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: One-pot cooking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 950 kcal
- Sugar: 16.9 g
- Sodium: 439 mg
- Fat: 26.2 g
- Saturated Fat: 5.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 101 g
- Fiber: 7.2 g
- Protein: 74.5 g
- Cholesterol: 157 mg
