One Pot Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo
This hearty One Pot Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo is a great slimming friendly meal whether you're counting calories or following a diet plan like Weight Watchers.
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NutritionPer Serving
- Calories437
- Carbs53g
- Protein31g
- Fat9.9g
- Saturates2.3g
- Sugars5.6g
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For the full list of ingredients and comprehensive instructions, please see the recipe card at the end of this post. Before you scroll, there’s important stuff to know in the blurb!
If it’s a chilly day, then this recipe is one of those dishes that reminds you of summer! Our One Pot Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo is ridiculously easy to make and is packed full of vibrant, Mediterranean flavours.
If you’ve never had orzo before then don’t be fooled – it might look like rice, but orzo is actually pasta! We absolutely love it and it makes a really nice change to pastas like penne or fusilli.
This One Pot Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo takes about 10 minutes to prepare and you just need to pop everything into a pan and then throw it in the oven – easy!
What diets is this One Pot Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo suitable for?
This recipe is suitable if you’re gluten free as long as you swap out the following ingredients for gluten free versions;
- Orzo
- Stock cubes
You could also enjoy this One Pot Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo if you’re dairy free.
Please make sure to double or triple check all of your ingredients if you’re cooking for people with allergies.
Do you need any special ingredients to make this One Pot Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo?
First and foremost you need a sturdy casserole pot. We use ours at least once a week, and cook everything in it from stews to one pot dishes like this One Pot Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo.
Next you need allspice. Not mixed spice, ALLSPICE! It’s nothing like mixed spice and really shouldn’t be substituted as such!
If you don’t have any allspice, we urge you to get some. It’s amazing paired with rosemary and thyme.
You also need some orzo which you can find in the pasta aisle at the supermarket (looks like rice!).
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We used a Le Creuset shallow casserole for this, but a friend of ours swears by the VonShef cast irons ones. They’re pretty damn good.
A good quality frying pan is essential for browning onions and frying peppers. Investing in a good non-stick one should last you for years!
How many calories are in this One Pot Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo?
There are 437 calories in each portion of our slimming friendly One Pot Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo which means it falls into our Weekly Indulgence category.
This recipe is perfect if you’re following a calorie controlled diet, and fits well with any one of the major diet plans such as Weight Watchers.
As a guide, an average man needs around 2,500kcal (10,500kJ) a day to maintain a healthy body weight. For an average woman, that figure is around 2,000kcal (8,400kJ) a day. Obviously, if your goal is to lose weight then you might want to adjust these slightly! You can read more about these recommendations on the NHS website.
Step 1
Coat the chicken thighs in the paprika, ground allspice, turmeric and salt and leave for 10 mins. In the meantime chop the vegetables.
Step 2
Spray a large frying pan with some low calorie cooking spray and heat gently.
Step 3
Cook the chicken thighs until they start to brown. Turn them over and brown the other sides.
Step 4
Set the chicken aside.
Step 5
Add a few more sprays of low calorie cooking spray to the pan, then fry off the onion, carrot, celery, garlic and mushrooms until the onion is soft.
Step 6
Add the tomatoes, lemon juice and 100ml of the chicken stock. Return the chicken to the pan and place in the oven with a lid on (or covered with foil) for 30 mins at 180C.
Step 7
Carefully remove the pan from the oven, add the orzo, parsley and the rest of the stock, stir, and return to the oven for 20 mins with the lid off.
What should you should serve with One Pot Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo?
This dish is really substantial enough on its own without any extra accompaniments, but if you fancied something extra you could try any of the following:
Whatever accompaniment you choose, don’t forget to account for the extra calories and/or other nutritional values.
Can you cook One Pot Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo another way?
You could cook this dish in the slow cooker. Brown the chicken, add to the pot with all of the other ingredients, except the orzo and parsley. Cook on high for 2-3 hours. Add the orzo and some extra stock if required and cook for a further 35-40 minutes on high until the orzo is tender.
How do you know when this One Pot Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo is cooked?
You should cook this dish until the chicken is cooked through, the juices run clear and the orzo is tender.
This should take approx 50 minutes in the oven.
Standard advice here in the UK is to cook food until it has reached 70°C and stayed at that temperature for 2 minutes. This is to keep your family safe.
How long can you keep this One Pot Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo in the fridge?
Once you’ve served it, ideally you should eat it within 4 hours.
If you allow any left overs to cool, make sure to refrigerate in a container with a lid and chill. You can keep leftovers of One Pot Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo in the fridge for approximately 3 days or so.
Can I freeze this One Pot Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo?
Yes you can! This recipe can be frozen, but please remember to do the following;
- Freeze it as soon as it is cold enough.
- Use a container or bag that is suitable for freezing.
Don’t forget to add a label with what it is, and on what date you put it in the freezer!
How do I reheat this One Pot Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo?
From chilled: Place in a microwave proof container with loosely fitting lid and heat for 4-7 minutes until piping hot.
From frozen: Allow to defrost, and heat covered in the microwave for 3-5 minutes then stir. Cook for a further 5-7 minutes until piping hot.
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One Pot Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo
This hearty One Pot Mediterranean-Style Chicken Orzo is a great slimming friendly meal whether you’re counting calories or following a diet plan like Weight Watchers.
-
Prep Time
15 MINS
-
Cook Time
50 MINS
- KCals 437
- Carbs 53G
Instructions
- Coat the chicken thighs in the paprika, ground allspice, turmeric and salt and leave for 10 mins. In the meantime chop the vegetables.
- Spray a large pan with some low calorie cooking spray and heat gently.
- Cook the chicken thighs until they start to brown. Turn them over and brown the other sides.
- Set the chicken aside.
- Add a few more sprays of low calorie cooking spray to the pan, then fry off the onion, carrot, celery, garlic and mushrooms until the onion is soft.
- Add the tomatoes, lemon juice and 100ml of the chicken stock. Return the chicken back to the pan and place in the oven with a lid on (or covered with foil) for 30 mins at 180°C.
- Carefully remove the pan from the oven, add the orzo, parsley and the rest of the stock, stir, and return to the oven for 20 mins with the lid off
Looking for Slimming World Syns or Weight Watchers (WW) Points?
With ever-changing plans and point calculations, we have made the decision to remove WW Points from the website - referring to your individual plan or advice from your consultant is always going to give the most accurate results.
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205 comments
See what others have to say
MoneSaturday 4th April 2020
Hello, is it possible to replace orzo with rice? What would I need to change? Thank you!
Steve CowderoyTuesday 19th May 2020
Hi Mone, thanks for getting in touch with us. Yes you can substitute rice for Orzo try Arborio rice or a short grain brown rice. Follow your rice packets instructions for how much water to rice they recommend. Hope this helps.
AshleyThursday 2nd April 2020
Chicken with bone or without?
Sharon FitzpatrickWednesday 13th May 2020
Hi Ashley, we used boneless chicken thighs but ones with bones in would work well too.Thanks for your question and hope you enjoy this recipe!
joanneFriday 6th March 2020
Can I use chicken breast instead.
Sharon FitzpatrickTuesday 19th May 2020
Hi Joanne, yes, you could use chicken breast, just make sure it is thoroughly cooked right through. Enjoy the recipe!
LucyMonday 2nd March 2020
Could this be done in an insta pot?
HollyFriday 16th October 2020
Hi Lucy, We have recently published an article on slow cooker and instant pot conversions which you can find here if you scroll down there is a table that gives a rough guide for how to convert recipes. These times are just a rough guide only, so please make sure that everything is cooked through before serving. If not, just cook it for a bit longer. Remember that a lot of converting recipes to work in the Instant Pot® is trial and error, so if something isn’t quite right then try again! Hope that helps!
TraceySaturday 15th February 2020
Can we use chicken pieces rather than chicken thighs!
Steve CowderoyMonday 18th May 2020
Hi Tracey, yes you can swap the chicken thighs for pieces, but if you are using small pieces it will affect the cooking time considerably. We would recommend chicken breast as a swap, making sure they are cooked all the way through. Hope this helps and please let us know how you get on.
MichelleThursday 16th January 2020
Hi.
Cooking this for 4 adults would adding 2 more chicken thighs be ok? so we would get 2 each. would I have to adjust other ingredients?
Thanks. X
LisaSaturday 23rd May 2020
Hi Michelle. Yes, you can add extra chicken. You won’t have to adjust any of the other ingredients.
TanyaThursday 16th January 2020
Can I use chicken breast instead of thighs?
Steve CowderoyWednesday 20th May 2020
Hi Tanya, thanks for getting in touch with us. Yes you can use chicken breast instead of the thighs, just make sure they are cooked thoroughly. hope this helps.
P DolanSaturday 11th January 2020
How much rice would you use for this recipe as hubbie didn’t like orzo
Holly LevellMonday 1st June 2020
Hey, you could try using rice, but it will take longer to cook than orzo. Just keep an eye on it an add a little more stock if it looks like it needs it. Follow your rice packets instructions for how much water to rice they recommend. Hope this helps!
MichelleThursday 9th January 2020
Is this made with boneless chicken thighs or with bone in thankyou
Holly LevellWednesday 20th May 2020
Hi Michelle, we used boneless thighs in this recipe
MajellaMonday 6th January 2020
Is there pasta in this dish
Sharon FitzpatrickWednesday 6th May 2020
Hi Majella, thanks for your question. Yes, there is pasta in this dish called orzo.The pieces of pasta are tiny, and are about the size and shape of a grain of rice. Hope this helps!
Beatrice YoungThursday 5th December 2019
Does it work with chicken breast? Any tweaks to make it do so?
LisaSaturday 23rd May 2020
This works well with chicken breasts. Just make sure they are thoroughly cooked through!
ChloeWednesday 17th July 2019
Are the calories per portion or for the whole serving?
Sharon FitzpatrickWednesday 6th May 2020
Hi Chloe, thankyou for getting in touch with your question. The calories are per portion. Hope this helps.
KtSunday 23rd June 2019
In the PON book for 4 people you have 6 chicken thighs and on here for 4 people you need 8 chicken thighs are the ingredents wrong in the book.
Thank you love the book it’s amazing
HollyWednesday 1st July 2020
Hey, I think this recipe may have been updated since your comment as the recipe requires 6 chicken thighs. Glad you enjoy the books!
AbbiWednesday 22nd July 2020
Hiya, glad you’re so interactive on all the comments – so helpful! In this case, is one serving 1.5 chicken thighs per person if it serves 4 and recipe calls for 6 thighs? Thank you 🙂
HollyMonday 27th July 2020
Hi Abbi, yes thats right. Hope that helps!
JaneWednesday 22nd May 2019
Can this be made in slow cooker?
Emma TThursday 20th June 2019
Hi Jane, this has been updated to include a slow cooker method: Brown the chicken, add to the pot with all of the other ingredients, except the orzo and parsley. Cook on high for 2 – 3 hours. Add the orzo and some extra stock if required and cook for a further 35 – 40 minutes on high until the orzo is tender.
Fran MullardFriday 10th May 2019
Just made this dish & it was fantastic. Thank you so much for your recipes, I am slowly making my way through your cook book!
CateFriday 26th April 2019
Lovely idea, glad you enjoyed it Karen! 🙂
Valerie CoombeWednesday 24th April 2019
I made this last night.. Absolutely delish!! Will definately be on my weekly menu from now on. Thank you.
Michelle JeffriesMonday 1st April 2019
Made this tonite
Was so tasty all the family cleared there plates
Emma TSunday 7th April 2019
Hi Michelle,
So glad you enjoyed it!
KarenWednesday 20th February 2019
OMG!!! This was amazing. Never had Orzo before and was a little apprehensive especially as I have a fussy eater husband.
We both throughly enjoyed it and will be definitely having it again.
Can’t wait for the Pinch of Nom recipe book to be delivered.
JoSunday 17th February 2019
Just cooked this and loved it, so easy to make and full of flavour. Definitely be making it again
Roy and EleanorTuesday 22nd January 2019
Just made this precisely to the menu apart from using 3 chicken breasts (split into 6 pieces).
Absolutely delicious! This is the 4th fantastic recipe we’ve found on PON. Thanks! ????
RuthThursday 17th January 2019
Could you use paella rice instead of orzo
Caroline WinterSaturday 5th January 2019
This recipe was absolutely delicious. I shall be cooking the dish regularly and the whole family loved it.
Roxanne SpencerSaturday 5th January 2019
Hi I really want to try this in my instant pot, what is the recommended time to cook?
Ps. Love your recipes!
MelissaMonday 3rd December 2018
Made this last night for a family meal and I didn’t want to be slaving over the stove. The spice mix smelt a bit strong when I put it in a bowl to coat the chicken, but once cooked it had toned down to just give a lovely flavour.
I did tweak slightly and used a tin of tomatoes as I don’t like fresh and reduced the stock by 200ml (I made a huge pan using 500g of pasta and 1kg of chicken) it went down really well with most having a small second helping. I even had to send a link to the recipe. Thank you PON for another great one!
Andrea GreenSaturday 24th November 2018
Made this on Thursday it was to die for. Gave a portion to my SW councerler and she agreed. So tasty
FionaFriday 5th October 2018
Hi, planning on making this tonight but I don’t have a casserole dish? Would a normal pyrex dish work as well?
Thanks,
Julia lewisMonday 1st October 2018
Oh my word just made this. It is absolutely gorgeous and those whole garlic cloves. I will definitely make this again. Thank you
TrishMonday 17th September 2018
Hi,
Do you perchance have a rough macro count per portion for this dish?
Thanks
Trish
Stacy ThomasWednesday 5th September 2018
Hi,
Has anyone used rice instead of orzo, as I couldn’t find orzo in the shop? What would be the method, thanks
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