One-Pan Mediterranean Chicken & Orzo Bake Recipe

I’m always on the lookout for easy, nutritious weeknight meals. Between work, kids, pets, home, and activities, the workweek can sometimes feel too hectic to fit in time to make an elaborate healthy meal. Although we know that healthy doesn’t have to mean “complicated,” there are still some nights where anything more than a sheet pan meal or one-pot dish can feel unmanageable. This Mediterranean chicken and orzo bake is the perfect meal to make on busy days.

With super simple prep and just one baking dish, both cooking and cleanup will be a breeze, meaning you’ll have more time for other tasks you need to get done (or just a bit more time to decompress and relax after a long day).

Full of ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties and packed with flavor and nutrients, this one-pan meal is what you need for a quick family dinner on busy weeknights or weekly meal prep.

This Chicken & Orzo Bake Recipe Is:

• Full of Mediterranean Flavors: With tender chicken, earthy spinach, white beans, artichokes, briny olives and capers, bright lemon, and oregano, this dish is absolutely bursting with the Mediterranean flavors you know and love.
• Packed with Ingredients with Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Inflammation is bad for our health and can make us sick. Help fight it by eating foods with anti-inflammatory properties. This dish includes olive oil, olives, spinach, and veggies like bell peppers to help keep you healthier overall.
• Just One Dish: This simple recipe is the perfect one-pot meal—a complete dinner made in just one casserole dish. The oven does all of the hard work, so that means less time spent actively cooking and fewer dishes to wash once you’re done.
• Easy to Meal Prep: Because this recipe makes about 4-6 servings, it’s great for meal prepping for the week ahead. Simply prepare the recipe as written, then pack into an airtight container and store in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.

Ingredients

• 1 rotisserie chicken (pulled or chopped) or 3 cooked chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 cups spinach or kale (packed)
• 2 cups uncooked orzo
• 1 (15.5 oz) can white beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
• 1 cup marinated artichokes, chopped (drain excess oil)
• 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• ½ medium red onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons capers
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice + 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 3 cups hot low-sodium chicken broth or chicken stock (I use Kitchen Basics brand)

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch large baking dish with olive oil. You could also use a Dutch oven or large oven-safe skillet for this recipe.
2. Place all ingredients in the baking dish, finishing with the hot broth. Stir well to combine.
3. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 40 minutes.
4. Remove the dish from the oven, stir, and return it to the oven to make for another 20 minutes.
5. If the orzo is done, take the foil off the dish and return to the oven to bake for about 10 minutes so the top will get crispy. If the orzo isn’t done after 60 minutes, put the foil back on the dish and bake for another 5-10 minutes (or until the orzo is cooked through) before removing the foil and letting the top get golden brown and crispy. If you’d like, garnish the finished dish with lemon slices, or fresh herbs like oregano, fresh dill, or fresh parsley. If you tolerate dairy, you could also add a little parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Components

This nutrient-dense Mediterranean chicken and orzo bake is a great choice when you’re looking for a healthy, delicious meal, but still craving comfort food.

• Lean Protein: The chicken in this recipe will keep you feeling fuller for longer and help with recovery post-workouts.
• Fiber & Plant-Based Protein: With white beans, greens, and plenty of veggies, this dish is packed with fiber and some additional plant-based protein to help with digestion and heart health.
• Anti-Inflammatory Properties: The olives and olive oil, greens, and veggies like red bell pepper and tomatoes will help support your overall health and wellness.

Tips & Tricks

• Change up the greens: Instead of using spinach, try kale, Swiss chard, rainbow chard, or any other greens you’d like.
• Swap the grains: Instead of using orzo, use another small pasta, rice, farro, barley, quinoa, or couscous.
• Add more veggies: Try adding zucchini, cherry tomatoes, eggplant, sun-dried tomatoes, cauliflower, and more for extra nutrition and flavor.
• Lower the carbs: Use cauliflower rice or broccoli rice instead of orzo or rice to lower the carb content a bit.
• Add a little heat: If you like food with a bit of a kick, add some red pepper flakes to the bottom of the pan when you’re adding your orzo and other ingredients.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What can I use instead of orzo?

Try making this Mediterranean chicken and orzo bake with quinoa, rice, barley, farro, couscous, or any other grain you’d like. If you’re going to use something else, however, make sure you keep an eye on the cook time and the liquid content. You may need to add more liquid and cook it longer depending on what you’re using.

Does this Mediterranean chicken and orzo bake work for meal prepping?

It does. Prepare the recipe as written and then store in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to eat.

You can also prep everything ahead of time before baking. Place all of your ingredients into the baking dish, then cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 1 day. When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven and bake as directed.

How should I store leftovers of this chicken and orzo bake?

Place any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to eat, you can gently reheat it in either the microwave or oven.

This Mediterranean Chicken and Orzo Bake is the perfect easy weeknight meal. It’s packed with flavor and nutrition, but maybe the best part is how easy it is to prepare and clean up. This one-pot orzo is an easy recipe you’ll want to make over and over again. Your whole family will love it!