Greek Chicken Orzo Bake
This creamy one-dish dinner is loaded with juicy chicken, spinach, tomatoes, and melty cheese—baked to perfection for a cozy family meal.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Dinner, Casserole, Pasta Bake
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Greek-Inspired, Mediterranean
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts (about 3 cups cooked), diced
1 Tbsp olive oil
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
16 oz orzo pasta (uncooked)
3 cups baby spinach (about 3 handfuls)
2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
⅔ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, divided
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
½ tsp dried oregano
Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional garnish: Crumbled feta or chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
Cook the chicken (if raw): Slice chicken breasts in half lengthwise. Season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and cook 4 minutes per side until fully cooked. Let cool slightly and dice into bite-sized pieces. (Skip this step if using pre-cooked chicken.)
Combine base ingredients in the casserole dish: chicken broth, heavy cream, uncooked orzo, baby spinach, halved tomatoes, ½ of the mozzarella, ½ of the parmesan, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Add the chicken and stir again to evenly distribute.
Top with remaining cheese: Sprinkle remaining mozzarella and parmesan evenly over the top.
Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to thicken. Stir gently and garnish with feta or parsley if desired.
Notes
Grease the baking dish to prevent sticking.
Ensure all orzo is submerged in liquid before baking.
Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut—just dice and mix in.
Orzo should be soft but not mushy. Add a splash of broth if it looks too dry.
Letting it rest helps create a perfectly creamy texture.
Use freshly grated cheeses for best melt and flavor.
Optional: Add red pepper flakes before baking for mild heat.
Avoid overbaking—sauce should be a little loose when it comes out.
Find it online: https://elladishes.com/greek-chicken-orzo-bake/
