Easy Baked Chicken Orzo (A One-Pan Dinner Recipe)

This easy meal is perfect for busy weeknights, family gatherings, or meal prep lunches. My husband always says it’s “better than restaurant-quality but at home” because the chicken thighs are always perfectly seasoned and never overcooked.

For more simple dinners, try my 5-Ingredient Chickpea Curry or Slow Cooker Beef & Pinto Bean Chili. They’re just as satisfying. Now, let’s get this in the oven!

This cheesy chicken orzo bake with spinach is a complete dinner in one dish! It’s one of our favorite ways to enjoy aflavor-packed meal with minimal cleanup.

One-pan: Everything bakes together, so no extra pots or pans.

Quick prep: You just need 10 minutes of hands-on prep time.

Great for gatherings: Doubling the recipe is easy for large crowds.

Family-friendly: Everyone loves the chicken's savory flavor with creamy pasta.

This baked chicken-and-spinach pasta casserole uses everyday ingredients for a super comforting meal! Scroll to the recipe card at the end of this post for the full recipe with ingredient amounts.

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs: Bone-in chicken thighs work too.
• Dried oregano: It adds herbiness. Feel free to swap it for dried thyme.
• Paprika: Use smoked paprika for the best flavor. Avoid sweet paprika.
• Salt and pepper: Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper are best.
• Olive oil: Avocado oil is okay as well.
• Dry orzo pasta: If you've never seen or used it before, it's essentially rice-shaped pasta.
• Chicken broth: I prefer low-sodium broth. Use vegetable stock for a lighter version.
• Fresh garlic: You can swap it for ⅛ teaspoon garlic powder per clove.
• Lemon: The zest and juice are needed. Don't swap it for lime juice because it's too sour.
• Boursin cheese: I love using Garlic & Herb Boursin cheese because it adds a lovely herbiness.
• Fresh spinach: Baby spinach is my favorite because it wilts faster.
• Fresh parsley: You can omit it if you don't like it.
• Black pepper: Freshly cracked pepper is best. Don't use white, pink, or green pepper.
• Lemon zest: Adds a citrusy note to brighten up every bite.

See recipe card for quantities.

This effortless chicken orzo with spinach bakes into a creamy, one-pan wonder! Just season the chicken, mix everything, bake, and add the cheese. That's it!

1. Step 1: Season the chicken on both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano, then set aside.

2. Step 2: Add the dry orzo to the prepared baking dish. Pour in the chicken broth and olive oil, then stir in the garlic and lemon zest until evenly combined.

3. Step 3: Place the seasoned chicken into the orzo mixture. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, gently stir the orzo around the chicken, then return to the oven and bake uncovered for 12–15 minutes, until the orzo is tender and most of the liquid has absorbed.

4. Step 4: Transfer the chicken to a plate and loosely cover to rest. Stir the Boursin cheese, spinach, and lemon juice into the hot orzo until creamy and the spinach wilts. Add the chicken back to the dish and let everything rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley, cracked black pepper, and lemon zest, and serve the chicken sliced or whole.

This garlicky lemon-chicken orzo bake is perfect for switching up! Try these yummy twists depending on what you've got at home:

Creamier version: Add ½ cup heavy cream with the Boursin cheese for an even more luscious sauce.

Make it tomatoey: Stir in 1 cup cherry tomatoes before baking or 2 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes with the spinach for a tomatoey variation.

Spicy kick: Season the chicken with ¼-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or chili powder for a spicy kick.

Swap the cheese: 2 cups shredded mozzarella is a great alternative to Boursin for a lovely cheese-pull.

This lemony orzo pasta casserole is a complete meal! Here are our favorite ways to enjoy it:

• Serve straight from the dish with a side of crusty bread.
• With a bowl of Roasted Red Pepper Gouda Soup as a starter.
• Pair with Roasted Red Pepper & Chickpea Salad or Oven-Roasted Green Beans as sides.
• If the chicken thighs run out, I'll top it with leftover Baked Greek Chicken Meatballs.
• Serve at a family gathering with Roasted Parsnips & Carrots and Roasted Beets & Carrots for a yummy dinner spread.

This easy orzo meal reheats beautifully! Here’s how to keep it fresh for later:

Refrigerator

Store in airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat with a splash of broth to restore creaminess. Discard immediately if the chicken smells bitter.

Reheating

Microwave it in 30-second increments until warm. You can also heat it in a pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 8-10 minutes.

These simple tips and tricks will give you juicy chicken and perfectly cooked orzo every time:

Don’t skip the foil: The initial covered bake time kickstarts the cooking process without drying out the chicken, so please don't bake it uncovered right from the start.

Use the right part of the chicken: Boneless skinless chicken thighs stay especially juicy and are very forgiving, while chicken breasts work well as long as they aren’t overcooked. If you don't mind bone-in pieces, chicken leg-quarters are great too.

Hold the Boursin: For the creamiest texture, stir the Boursin cheese into the hot orzo after baking rather than baking it in the oven. Adding it too early will make the sauce dry and separate.

Adjust consistency: The orzo will thicken as it rests, so add a splash of warm chicken broth if needed before serving or reheating.

Use leftovers: I love adding leftover, shredded rotisserie chicken. I sprinkle it on top right after baking. It's an easy way to use up what I already have in the fridge.

Here’s what other home cooks and one-pan dinner enthusiasts are asking about this chicken orzo!

Yes! Just keep an eye on them to make sure they don't overcook.

Absolutely! It's a good swap for chicken broth.

Don’t overbake it. Once uncovered, check the orzo after 12 minutes to see if it's ready.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Creamy Lemon Chicken Orzo Pasta (Easy One-Pan Dinner Recipe)

The Best Beef And Barley Stew (Comforting One-Pot Recipe)

Easy Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Gouda Soup Recipe

Easy Greek Chicken and Feta Baked Meatballs Recipe (Gluten-Free)

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Baked Chicken Orzo recipe:

Easy Homemade Roasted Red Bell Peppers (Best Kitchen Staple)

Easy Oven-Roasted Green Beans with Garlic and Lemon

Easy Roasted Beets & Carrots with Maple Orange Glaze

Easy Roasted Parsnips and Carrots with Herbs – Perfect Side for Any Season

This baked chicken orzo is our favorite way to enjoy a creamy, one-pan dinner packed with big flavor but little clean-up! Share your creations on Instagram with @Hungry Whisk, and don’t forget to subscribe for more easy dinner ideas and recipe cards!