Lynbrook | New Hyde Park | NY

greek

RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Greek Lemon Chicken and Orzo

Prep: 15 MINUTES

Cook: 10 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 pound orzo, cooked according to package directions and drained
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil for pan + more for finished dish, as desired
  • 1 medium sweet Vidalia onion, diced small
  • 1.25 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces, seasoned with salt and pepper
  • 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 to 4 cloves garlic, pressed or finely minced
  • 5 ounces fresh spinach (about 4 giant handfuls)
  • 1/2 English cucumber, diced small
  • 1 1/2 cups sliced cherry or grape tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest, or to taste
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste
  • 6 ounces crumbled feta cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

  • To a large pot, add the orzo and cook according to package directions. Drain and return to pot.
  • While orzo is cooking, to a large skillet add 3 tablespoons olive oil, onions, and cook for about 3 minutes; stir intermittently.
  • Add the chicken, season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, oregano, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until cooked through; flip and stir frequently to ensure even cooking.
  • Add the garlic, stir to combine, and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant.
  • Transfer the chicken, onions, and any cooking juices to the large pot with the drained orzo.
  • Add the spinach (looks like a lot but it will wilt) and stir to incorporate. Stir for about 2 minutes, or until it begins to wilt.
  • Add the cucumbers, tomatoes, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and stir well to incorporate.
  • Add the feta and stir to combine. Tip – If you want the feta to remain more intact, don’t add it until the chicken and orzo have cooled down a bit, or it will melt, which is totally fine, you just won’t see the white crumbles.
  • Taste, and as desired, add additional salt. I added an additional approximately 2 teaspoons because it’s a very large quantity of orzo, chicken, and vegetables.
  • If desired, drizzle in additional olive oil. I recommend another approximately 2 tablespoons for both flavor and so that the orzo doesn’t stick as it cools. Serve immediately.

NUTRITION INFORMATION:

YIELD:

 8 

SERVING SIZE:

 1
Amount Per Serving:

CALORIES: 388

TOTAL FAT: 13g CARBOHYDRATES: 37g  PROTEIN: 31g

You can find the original recipe from Averie Cooks here!

One Skillet Greek Meatballs & Orzo

Prep Time: 25 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 45 mins

Servings: 6

Calories: 475kcal

Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground chicken
  • 1 small shallot, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced or grated
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano (or 2 teaspoons dried)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 lemon, sliced, plus 3-4 tbs lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter
  • 1 cup dry orzo pasta
  • 1/2 cup pitted green olives
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, plus more for serving
  • 1/2 cup oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped, and reserve the oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • arugula and fresh herbs, for serving
Whipped Feta
  • 8 ounces feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
  1. Add the chicken, shallot, 1 clove garlic, oregano, paprika, and a pinch of red pepper, salt, and pepper to a bowl. Mix until just combined. Coat your hands with a bit of oil, roll the meat into tablespoon-size balls (will make 14-15 meatballs).
  2. Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and add 2 tablespoons oil. When the oil shimmers, add the meatballs and sear until crisp and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes, turning them 2-3 times. Transfer to a plate.
  3. To the same skillet, add the butter and lemon slices. Sear the lemon until golden on each side, about 1 minute. Remove the lemon from the pan and add to the plate with the meatballs. To the same skillet, add 1 clove garlic and the orzo. Cook until the garlic is fragrant and the orzo toasted, about 2-3 minutes. Add the 2 1/2 cups water and 1-2 tablespoons juice from 1 lemon. Bring to a boil over high heat and cook, stirring often, until al dente, about 7-8 minutes. Stir in the olives and dill. Slide the meatballs back into the skillet and cook until warmed through.
  4. Meanwhile, make the sun-dried tomato vinaigrette. In a bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup of the reserved sun-dried tomato oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and the balsamic vinegar until combined. Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes, 1 tablespoon dill, and season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
  5. To make the feta. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until smooth and creamy. The feta can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days. Note: if you prefer you can just crumble the feta cheese over the meatballs instead of whipping it.
  6. To serve, spread the feta onto plates and drizzle with the vinaigrette. Add the orzo, seared lemons, and meatballs.

Original recipe from Half Baked Harvest can be found here!