Description
This Baked Chicken with Orzo recipe is a delicious Greek-inspired dish that combines tender chicken with flavorful orzo pasta in a rich tomato sauce. Perfect for a cozy family dinner or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- olive oil
- 1 kg (2.2 pounds) chicken quarters, thighs, or drumsticks
For the Orzo:
- 200 grams (1 cup) orzo pasta
- 400 grams (14 ounce) whole canned tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon tomato paste
- 1 small onion, minced
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 bay leaf
- 6 allspice berries or ⅔ teaspoon ground allspice
- a pinch of cinnamon
- 750 ml (3 cups) hot water or stock (chicken or vegetable stock)
- freshly ground pepper
- grated Kefalotyri or Pecorino cheese to serve with
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 220°C / 430°F.
- Prepare tomatoes: Pulse the whole canned tomatoes in a food processor or blender until smooth.
- Cook chicken: Add chicken to a Dutch oven or oven-proof cooking pot. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and roast for 30 to 40 minutes until golden. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Prepare orzo: Saute onion and garlic in the chicken fat, then add orzo and saute briefly.
- Add ingredients: Stir in tomato paste, canned tomatoes, allspice, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and hot water or stock. Place chicken on top.
- Bake: Cover and bake at 180°C / 360°F for about 40 minutes, stirring the orzo occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Finish baking: Increase oven temperature to 200°C / 390°F, uncover, and bake for an additional 10 minutes until orzo absorbs most of the sauce.
- Serve: Top with grated cheese and freshly ground pepper before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 691 kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 371mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Carbohydrates: 59g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 41g
- Cholesterol: 177mg
