I make this on busy nights when I want real food that still fits Low Calorie Chicken Recipes. Tender chicken meets orzo that swells in a bright lemon broth. Feta melts into tiny creamy pockets. Tomatoes and olives bring a salty snap. I take one bite and the kitchen goes quiet in a good way. We use pantry stars that I trust. Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Recipes guide the cut. Baked Chicken Breast Recipes inspire the clean taste. Mediterranean Recipes shape the herbs and the olive oil. High Protein Meals keep me full so I feel steady and calm. The method is simple. One pan. Clear steps. Quick stirring. No stress. You brown the chicken. You toast the orzo. You pour warm broth that smells like lemon and garlic. Steam lifts from the pot and you think yes this will work. Parsley lands at the end for a fresh finish. Then you serve and watch everyone lean in with a smile.
Table of Contents
- 1) Key Takeaways
- 2) Easy Mediterranean Chicken Orzo Recipe
- 3) Ingredients for Mediterranean Chicken Orzo
- 4) How to Make Mediterranean Chicken Orzo
- 5) Tips for Making Mediterranean Chicken Orzo
- 6) Making Mediterranean Chicken Orzo Ahead of Time
- 7) Storing Leftover Mediterranean Chicken Orzo
- 8) Try these pasta dinners next
- 9) Mediterranean Chicken Orzo
- 10) Nutrition
1) Key Takeaways
Hi I am Camila from Camila Cooks. This skillet gives bold flavor with a calm method. One pan. Fast prep. Clean protein. Orzo soaks broth and turns silky. Herbs stay bright. The finish tastes sunny and light.
Low Calorie Chicken Recipes fit a real weeknight. I reach for this when I need dinner that hugs the day but stays light. Kids eat it without a nudge. Adults go back for a little more. The pan cleans fast and we keep our evening.
Staples do the heavy lift. Chicken breast. Orzo. Lemon. Olive oil. A handful of parsley. A crumble of feta. Each piece plays close with the next so every bite lands balanced and warm.
2) Easy Mediterranean Chicken Orzo Recipe
Low Calorie Chicken Recipes slide into busy life with ease. Low Calorie Chicken Recipes keep flavor strong and the plate light. I brown small pieces of chicken so they cook quick and stay tender. Orzo toasts in the same pan so it drinks the fond. The broth carries lemon and garlic. The smell rises and the kitchen feels calm.
We like dishes that use pantry friends and deliver steady protein. This one reads easy. Steps stay short. Heat stays medium. A squeeze of lemon wakes the sauce. Feta softens at the end and gives little creamy notes. The spoon moves back for one more pass. I nod. You will too.
Author Camila keeps the tone real. On Camila Cooks we cook with care and keep waste low. This recipe sets up well for meal prep and works for guests. A small salad sits well next to it. A chilled glass of water with mint fits the mood.
3) Ingredients for Mediterranean Chicken Orzo
Chicken breast bite size lean protein that cooks fast and stays juicy in the lemon broth
Orzo dry small pasta that swells and turns saucy as it absorbs stock
Olive oil brings a soft fruit note and helps the chicken brown
Garlic minced warms the base with a gentle savory pull
Onion chopped soft sweet lift that supports the garlic
Bell pepper chopped color and crunch at the start then tender finish
Lemon zest and juice bright edge that lightens the starch and highlights the herbs
Chicken broth warm carries flavor into the orzo and keeps the pan happy
Dried oregano classic Mediterranean cue that pairs with lemon
Dried thyme quiet herbal base that rounds sharp notes
Sun dried tomatoes sliced sweet and tangy hits that pop in the bite
Parsley chopped fresh green finish that cools the sauce
Feta crumbled creamy and salty lift at the end
Red pepper flakes small heat that wakes the tongue
Salt and black pepper final balance so each bite lands right
4) How to Make Mediterranean Chicken Orzo
Step one brown heat olive oil in a wide skillet set medium then add seasoned chicken and cook to light gold on the edges
Step two soften stir in onion bell pepper and garlic and cook until the onion turns glossy and smells sweet
Step three toast add dry orzo and stir so each grain shines with oil for a short minute
Step four season sprinkle oregano and thyme then add sun dried tomatoes and a pinch of red pepper
Step five simmer pour warm broth with lemon zest and juice then scrape the pan so all flavor joins the liquid and let it bubble gentle
Step six finish cover and cook until orzo turns tender then fold in parsley and most feta and rest a minute
Step seven serve taste and adjust salt and black pepper then plate with the last feta and a squeeze of lemon
5) Tips for Making Mediterranean Chicken Orzo
Cut even pieces so the chicken cooks at the same pace. Warm the broth so the simmer stays steady and the starch sets right. Keep heat at medium so nothing scorches.
For low calorie chicken dinner ideas use a light hand with oil and pick low sodium broth. A nonstick pan helps with browning without extra fat. A splash of broth loosens the pan if it dries.
Want high protein dinners with ease. Add chickpeas for a boost. Swap feta with a little cottage cheese for more protein and the same creamy note. Fresh lemon at the end keeps the flavor bright.
6) Making Mediterranean Chicken Orzo Ahead of Time
Cook the base then cool it in the pan. The pasta keeps drinking if it sits hot. When cool move to boxes and chill. This step holds texture and keeps the sauce smooth.
Reheat with a small splash of warm broth so the orzo loosens and turns glossy. Low Calorie Chicken Recipes thrive when leftovers taste as good as day one. A quick stir brings it back to life.
Pack lemon wedges apart so the acid stays bright. Keep parsley and extra feta in a small cup. Add them right before you eat so the finish feels fresh and clean.
7) Storing Leftover Mediterranean Chicken Orzo
Store in tight boxes for three days in the fridge. The flavor deepens overnight. The texture stays tender when cooled right. A spoon of broth on reheat keeps it saucy.
For healthy chicken dinners that stay light label portions so you hit your goals with ease. This makes lunch simple. Grab and go. No extra thought. The plan holds.
Freeze for one month if you must. Thaw in the fridge so the starch relaxes slow. Warm on low heat and stir now and then. Add parsley and lemon at the end.
8) Try these pasta dinners next
9) Mediterranean Chicken Orzo
Low Calorie Chicken Recipes Mediterranean Chicken Orzo Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast cut in bite size pieces
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 bell pepper chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 lemon zest and juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes sliced
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped plus extra for serving
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
- 2 cups chicken broth warmed
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Set a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil.
- Season the chicken with salt black pepper and red pepper flakes then add to the pan and cook until lightly browned on the edges about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Stir in onion bell pepper and garlic. Cook until the onion softens and smells sweet about 3 minutes.
- Add the dry orzo. Stir so every grain gets a light gloss from the oil. Toast for 1 minute.
- Sprinkle in oregano and thyme. Add sun dried tomatoes.
- Pour in the warm chicken broth with lemon zest and lemon juice. Scrape the pan bottom so the brown bits lift into the broth.
- Bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook until the orzo turns tender and most liquid absorbs 8 to 10 minutes. Stir once or twice so it does not stick.
- Turn off the heat. Fold in parsley and most of the feta.
- Taste and adjust salt and black pepper. Rest 2 minutes so the sauce settles.
- Serve hot with the last feta and a squeeze of lemon.
10) Nutrition
One serving sits near four hundred fifty calories with strong protein near thirty eight grams. Carbs land near forty six grams. Fat stays around twelve grams. Fiber holds near four grams. Sodium sits near seven hundred twenty milligrams. Values shift with brands and salt.
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