Description
Bring the sunshine of the Mediterranean to your dinner table with this quick and easy dinner idea. Flavorful Mediterranean Chicken Orzo combines juicy herb-marinated chicken with creamy orzo pasta, fresh cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and briny kalamata olives. It’s the perfect healthy dinner, refreshing lunch, or picnic-ready dish that’s bursting with flavor, texture, and color. Whether you’re looking for easy recipes for meal prep or light food ideas that still satisfy, this vibrant one-bowl meal is a must-try.
Ingredients
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 cup orzo pasta
1 cup cherry tomatoes halved (red and yellow mix)
1 small cucumber diced
1/3 cup kalamata olives chopped
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for cooking)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 garlic cloves minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and marinate for 30 minutes to 2 hours.
2. Cook orzo in salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and drizzle with olive oil to keep from sticking.
3. Grill or sear chicken over medium heat until cooked through and nicely browned. Rest before slicing.
4. In a large bowl, combine orzo, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and parsley. Toss with olive oil and lemon juice.
5. Top with sliced grilled chicken. Garnish with extra parsley or lemon juice if desired. Serve warm or chilled.
Notes
For added creaminess, toss in feta cheese or a spoonful of Greek yogurt.
Don’t overcook orzo—it should be tender with a slight bite.
Leftovers taste even better after chilling; store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling / Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 435
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: easy dinner, quick Mediterranean recipe, orzo salad, grilled chicken pasta