Description
Elevate your weeknight dinners with this delightful High Protein Mediterranean Chicken Orzo. This vibrant dish features tender chicken, zesty Kalamata olives, fresh vegetables, and creamy feta, all tossed with perfectly cooked orzo pasta. Not only is it a feast for the senses with its balanced flavors and colors, but it’s also a powerhouse of protein that will keep you feeling satisfied and energized. In just under an hour, you can whip up a nourishing meal that’s perfect for both casual family nights and more festive occasions. Whether you’re serving it warm or using it as meal prep for the week ahead, this recipe is sure to become a favorite staple in your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups orzo pasta
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- Juice of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Cook the orzo according to package instructions in salted boiling water until al dente (8-10 minutes). Drain and set aside.
- Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and half of the oregano and basil. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown. Remove from skillet and let rest before slicing.
- In the same skillet, sauté diced onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Stir in cherry tomatoes and cook until softened (2-3 minutes). Add spinach and olives; stir until spinach wilts.
- Pour in chicken broth and bring to a simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Combine cooked orzo and sliced chicken into the skillet mixture; stir well. Add crumbled feta cheese and lemon juice before adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Serve hot garnished with fresh parsley if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg