Mediterranean Smothered Chicken with Creamy Herb Orzo
Tender golden chicken simmered in a luxurious Mediterranean lemon-garlic cream sauce, then “smothered” over a bed of perfectly creamy orzo cooked with herbs, broth, and parmesan. The dish is ultra comforting, silky, aromatic, and tastes like a five-star winter meal.
⏱ Time
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
🧾 Ingredients
For the Chicken
4 chicken thighs or breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
½ cup chicken broth
½ cup milk or cream
2 tbsp Greek yogurt (for extra creaminess)
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp thyme
½ tsp rosemary
¾ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
For the Creamy Orzo
1 cup orzo
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cups broth (vegetable or chicken)
2 tbsp parmesan or feta
1 tbsp lemon juice
Salt & pepper
2 tbsp chopped parsley
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Sear the Chicken
1. Heat olive oil in a deep pan.
2. Season chicken with salt & pepper.
3. Sear 4–5 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
2. Make the Smothered Sauce
1. In the same pan, add onion → cook 2 minutes.
2. Add garlic → cook 30 seconds.
3. Pour in broth, cream/milk, lemon juice, zest, oregano, thyme, and rosemary.
4. Whisk and bring to a simmer.
5. Add chicken back in.
6. Cover and cook 12–15 minutes until tender and smothered in sauce.
7. Add Greek yogurt at the end for silkiness.
3. Make the Creamy Orzo
1. In another pot, heat olive oil.
2. Add orzo → toast 1 minute.
3. Add broth → simmer 10–12 minutes until creamy.
4. Stir in parmesan/feta, lemon juice, parsley, salt, and pepper.
4. Combine & Serve
Spoon creamy orzo onto plates.
Place smothered chicken on top.
Pour extra lemon-herb cream sauce all over.
Finish with parsley, extra parmesan, or a squeeze of lemon.
💡 Notes & Tips
Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes in the sauce for Mediterranean flavor.
For extra richness → add 1 tbsp butter at the end.
For lighter version → use milk + skip parmesan.
Use bone-in chicken for max juiciness.
❓ frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Can I use rice instead of orzo?
Yes — cook rice separately and serve under the chicken.
Can I make it non-dairy?
Use coconut milk + omit parmesan + skip yogurt.
Can I add veggies?
Yes — mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, spinach, or broccoli.
🔢 Nutrition information
Calories: 460
Protein: 35g
Carbs: 42g
Fat: 18g
Fiber: 3g