Tired of bland chicken dinners? This baked lemon chicken orzo recipe is the bright, zesty twist your weeknight meals are begging for. Juicy chicken, tender orzo pasta, and a lemony broth come together in one pan. Comforting yet fresh. Think cozy chicken soup vibes, but more elegant and a whole lot easier.
With this lemon orzo pasta recipe, you're not just cooking, you're making a dish that feels both homestyle and restaurant-worthy. The chicken and orzo bake together in a lemony chicken broth until every bite is infused with flavor. It s creamy without cream, hearty without heaviness, and so simple you'll wonder why it's not already a weekly staple.
Growing up in Greece, baked chicken and orzo was a staple on our table, but I've learned that a splash of lemon transforms it completely. That's why this lemon chicken orzo recipe has become one of my go-to comfort foods. It' s rooted in tradition, yet brightened with fresh Mediterranean flavors. If you've been looking for recipes with orzo and chicken that are easy, flavorful, and nourishing, this lemony one-pan chicken orzo checks every box.
Don't miss these 15 best recipes with orzo and especially this Greek chicken and orzo in tomato sauce (Youvetsi)! And for a similar dish, make sure to also try this Greek beef stew with orzo pasta.
📋 Ingredient notes
To make this baked chicken and orzo recipe you'll need the following ingredients:
Chicken: If possible, use bone-in chicken with the skin. It will give you more flavor. I ask my butcher to cut a whole chicken into 6 pieces (or 8 if it's very large) but you can also use cuts of your choice such as chicken thighs, drumsticks or chicken breasts.
Orzo: Here I used regular orzo pasta, but you can also make this dish with whole wheat orzo if you want it healthier.
Lemon: Freshly squeezed lemon juice is a must here. Also a bit of lemon zest enhances the lemony taste, but don't overdo it because too much zest will taste bitter. Use an organic, unwaxed lemon for the zest.
White wine: I don't suggest skipping the wine because it gives this dish character, and keep in mind that the alcohol will evaporate during baking. However you can replace it with chicken broth.
For the full list of ingredients with quantities, please see the recipe card ⬇️ at the end of this post.
👨🍳 Expert Tips
Follow these tips to make the best chicken orzo pasta bake every time!
✅ Orzo continues cooking as it rests because of the residual heat. Take it out of the oven while it's still very juicy and slightly under-cooked. Let it rest for 20 minutes, until the liquid is absorbed and the orzo fully cooked.
✅ Baking time depends on the material of the baking dish. In general, metal dishes cook the orzo faster than ceramic dishes.
🎥 Video
Watch this short video for how to make Greek lemon chicken and orzo bake:
🎵 Music on Video: Folk bed Musician: Audionautix.com
📖 Recipe
Greek baked lemon chicken and orzo (one pan recipe)
Ingredients
- ½ (60 g) onion (grated or very finely chopped - see note#1)
- 1 clove garlic (double this if you love garlic)
- ½ (60 g) carrot (grated or very finely chopped - see note#1)
- ½ cup (120 g) white wine
- ½ (750 g) chicken (cut in pieces)
- 3 tablespoons (40 g) olive oil
- 8.8 oz (250 g) orzo pasta
- 2 tablespoons (30 g) lemon juice (see note#2)
- ¼ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt (or oregano or Italian seasoning)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2.25 cups (540 g) chicken broth (boiling)
For Serving
- feta cheese or hard cheese of choice such as Kefalotyri or Parmesan cheese.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 360°F (180°C), top and bottom heat setting, not fan-forced.Add the onion, garlic, carrot and the wine to the baking dish and stir to combine.
- Place the chicken on top of the vegetables, drizzle with the olive oil and rub well until the chicken is coated with the oil. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Take the baking dish out of the oven and transfer the chicken to a plate.Add the orzo, lemon juice, lemon zest, bay leaf, thyme, salt, pepper and chicken broth to the baking dish and stir to combine.
- Arrange the chicken pieces on top of the orzo and sprinkle with some extra salt and thyme if needed. Bake (without foil) for another 30 minutes. Broil for 4-5 minutes at the end of baking or until the chicken is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let it rest for 20 minutes, so that the orzo has the time to absorb the remaining juices and soften. Serve as is or sprinkle with grated cheese or crumbled feta.
Notes
.
Baking Dish Sizes:
👉 For half a chicken (3 servings) use a casserole approximately 12x8 inches (30x20 cm) or a 10-inch (25cm) diameter round pan. 👉 For a whole chicken (6 servings) use a deep casserole dish at least 14 x 10.5 inches (35.5 x 26 cm). .Don't Miss these Recipes:
Nutrition
💭 FAQs
Lemon orzo chicken is bright, comforting, and satisfying on its own, but the right sides can turn it into a complete Mediterranean-style feast. A crisp Greek salad with juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and feta brings freshness and tang that balances the richness of the chicken. For something warm, try roasted vegetables like zucchini, asparagus, or green beans their caramelized edges pair beautifully with the lemony orzo. If you want to keep it light, add a side of steamed greens such as spinach or broccoli rabe for a touch of bitterness that cuts through the creaminess. A dollop of tzatziki or garlicky yogurt dip is another great option, offering a cooling contrast. And if you love comfort food, serve it with some crusty bread or pita to soak up every drop of sauce.
If you tried this Greek Lemon Chicken Orzo Bake Recipe, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
Tassia says
The moment I saw this I remembered my mom’s lemon chicken and orzo so I had to make it. It came out delicious! Thanks for this recipe!
Makos says
Thank you so much Tassia!
Carol says
This was absolutely delicious. I used 1/2 the Thyme called for, but put in 1/2 Tblspn Italian Seasoning in addition to the salt called for in the recipe.
My husband raved about it!
Makos says
Hi Carol, that’s great! Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback 😊
Martha says
Everyone loved this! Thanks for giving exact measurements for the liquid and the orzo, since that was always a problem for me!
Makos says
I’m so happy! Thanks for the feedback Martha!
Efi says
Hi Makos, I also commented on the tomato Youvetsi, both of these recipes have become favorites in my home. And the quantities you give for the broth are spot on! Thanks for sharing them!