This cozy Greek-inspired one-pan chicken orzo—also known as kritaraki—is a weeknight dinner hero. Juicy chicken thighs are seasoned with Mediterranean spices, seared to golden perfection, then oven-baked in a savoury tomato-garlic broth with tender orzo. It’s warming, satisfying, and effortlessly impressive.
Inspired by The Mediterranean Dish, this version keeps the authentic flavours while simplifying the process for your everyday kitchen.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1 kg bone-in, skinless chicken thighs or mixed pieces
- 4 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp sweet paprika
- 2 tsp ground coriander
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 2 tsp cracked black pepper
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
For the Orzo Mixture
- 2 large onions, finely chopped
- 10 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups canned peeled tomatoes (crushed by hand)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp brown sugar
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp sweet paprika
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 cups orzo (uncooked)
- Extra virgin olive oil, as needed
- Fresh chopped parsley, to serve
- Optional: Crumbled feta for garnish
Method
1. Season and Sear the Chicken
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- In a bowl, mix oregano, paprika, coriander, salt, and pepper. Rub the mixture into the chicken pieces. Drizzle with lemon juice and let sit while you prepare the pot.
- In a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden on both sides (approx. 8–10 minutes). Remove and set aside.
2. Build the Flavour Base
- In the same pot, add a little more olive oil if needed. Sauté chopped onions until soft (5 minutes).
- Add garlic and stir for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste, brown sugar, chicken broth, oregano, paprika, salt, pepper, and bay leaves. Bring to a gentle boil.
3. Add Orzo and Braise
- Stir in the uncooked orzo. Nestle the seared chicken pieces into the mixture.
- Transfer the pot to the oven (uncovered) and bake for 20–25 minutes, until orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from oven, cover the pot, and rest for 5 minutes before serving—this helps the orzo soak up the final juices.
To Serve
Scatter with chopped parsley and crumbled feta if desired. Serve warm with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables.
Pro tip: This dish makes great leftovers—just add a splash of broth or water when reheating.
