Baked Lemon Feta Chicken with Tomato Orzo
A bright, tangy, and comforting one-pan meal Description
This dish features juicy baked chicken marinated in lemon, garlic, oregano, and olive oil, then topped with creamy crumbled feta. It’s baked until golden and served over tender tomato orzo, which absorbs all the delicious chicken drippingIt’s fresh, cozy, and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner
Time Required
Prep time: 15 minutes
Marinating time (recommended): 30 minutes (optional but great)
Cook time: 25–30 minutes
Total time: 40–45 minutes (70–75 min with marinating)
Ingredients (Serves 4)
For the Lemon Feta Chicken
4 boneless chicken breasts (or thighs)
3 tbsp olive oil
1 lemon (zest + juice)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
⅓ cup feta cheese, crumbled
1 tbsp chopped parsley (for garnish)
For the Tomato Orzo
1 cup orzo pasta
1 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, mince
1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved) OR ½ cup crushed tomatoes
2 cups chicken broth
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
½ tsp oregano
tbsp feta (optional topping)
How to Make It — Step-by-Step
Marinate the Chicken
In a bowl, combine
olive oil
lemon zes
lemon juice
garlic
oregano
paprik
salt & pepper
Add the chicken and coat evenly
Marinate 30 minutes or cook immediately
Bake the Chicken
Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F
Place chicken in a baking dish
Bake 20–25 minutes (thighs may take 30 min)
Add crumbled feta on top during the last 5 minutes of baking
Broil/grill for 1–2 minutes for a golden finish
Make the Tomato Orzo
Heat olive oil in a pan
Sauté onion for 2 minutes
Add garlic and cook 30 second
Add cherry tomatoes (or crushed tomatoes) and cook 2–3 minutes
Add orzo + chicken broth + oregano + salt + pepper
Cook uncovered for 10–12 minutes, stirring often, until creamy and soft
Stir in a spoon of feta if you like it richer
4. Assemble & Serve
Scoop tomato orzo onto plates
Place the lemon feta chicken on top
Spoon some pan juices over everything
Garnish with parsley and extra feta
Serving Suggestions
Add roasted vegetables (zucchini, peppers, broccoli)
Serve with a Greek salad
Add olives or sun-dried tomatoes to the orzo
Questions & Answers
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts
Yes! Thighs stay juicier. Add 5 extra minutes of baking time
What can I use instead of orzo
You can replace orzo with
small pasta (ditalini, macaoni)
rice (cook separately)
couscous or quinoa
Can I make it dairy-free
Yes — just skip the feta or use a dairy-free alternative
Can I make this ahead
Yes
Marinate the chicken up to 12 hours ahead
Cook the orzo fresh (it thickens as it sits)
How to avoid the orzo sticking
Stir every 1–2 minutes while cooking and keep the heat medium
Can I make it spicier
Add
½ tsp red chili flakes to the marinade
or a pinch of cayenne to the orzo