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One Skillet Chicken Tzatziki and Orzo, the perfect weeknight dinner. Quick, easy, colorful, and delicious! Pan-seared lemon paprika chicken, cooked together with orzo pasta for an all-in-one dinner. Serve drizzled with Tzatziki sauce and fresh, buttery naan. A dinner that everyone at the table will love.
For a dinner that is so simple to throw together, this really has so much flavor! I think we all know by now that a skillet chicken and orzo dinner is a staple around here. Most of the time I’ll just use lemon and herbs, the classic recipe really. But then I’ll come up with a new variation that I swear I love even more than the last!
This was probably Creighton’s favorite dish of the week. It hits all the flavors he really loves most. Smoky paprika, a little bit of spice, lots of garlic, lemon, and then we can’t forget to mention the Tzatziki sauce.
Creighton has declared that Tzatziki might be his favorite sauce of all time. I have to agree, it’s pretty delicious. It also happens to be the easiest to make, we all love it.
Throwing everything into the same skillet just makes sense. For one, you’re saving dishes by avoiding using multiple pans. But even more importantly, you’re creating a dish that’s full of flavor. When you cook everything together, the flavors are able to blend, making every element of the recipe delicious.
Of course, with this recipe, I created one extra step by adding the Tzatziki sauce, but you can totally use a store-bought sauce too. Do what works for you!
Details
As mentioned above, this was one of my family’s favorites. Mainly because I used spices that we all enjoy, paprika mixed with garlic and lemon. The chicken definitely has a Mediterranean vibe to it.
Season the chicken first. I toss a mix of chicken thighs and breasts with tomato paste, and paprika (I use smoked paprika, but regular is great too). Then add lots of chopped garlic, lemon zest, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. Oh, and a good amount of olive oil too.
Now sear the chicken in an oven-safe skillet, then pull it out of the skillet to make room for the orzo. Just set the chicken aside on a plate to hang out.
Add the butter, orzo, and thyme to the same skillet. I love to let the orzo toast in the butter. Add in a good amount of sun-dried tomatoes, then pour in the chicken broth.
Now add the chicken back to the skillet. I usually like to add a handful of fresh herbs here too. Basil and thyme are what we love.
Put the entire skillet in the oven, and let it all cook together for 10-15 minutes, just until the chicken is fully cooked.
While the chicken is baking, I always make a homemade tzatziki sauce. It’s plain Greek yogurt mixed with grated cucumber, olive oil, garlic, lemon, fresh dill, salt, and pepper.
Occasionally I’ll make it spicy with a jalapeño. Sometimes I’ll mix in feta cheese too. Both are delicious additions!
When the skillet comes out of the oven. Scoop it up with the orzo and serve topped with a very generous amount of tzatziki sauce. Add some basil and dill too!
I usually serve this with warm naan, pitas, or tortillas – all three are great for scooping everything up!
Such a fun and bright dinner for any night of the week. And I love that the leftovers are perfect for enjoying the next day for lunch!
Looking for other easy dinners? Here are some favorites:
Easy Greek Sheet Pan Chicken and Potatoes
30 Minute Spicy Indian Butter Chicken
Sheet Pan Chicken Gyros with Feta Tzatziki
One Skillet Street Corn Chicken Enchilada Bake
Lastly, if you make this One Skillet Chicken Tzatziki and Orzo, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
One Skillet Tzatziki Chicken and Orzo
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 519 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 6 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest and 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 pinch chili flakes use to taste
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 pounds boneless chicken thighs or breast
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme
- 1 1/2 cups dry orzo pasta
- 1/2 cup oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup mixed herbs, such as basil and thyme
- 1-2 cups Tzakiki sauce
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 400° F.2. In a bowl, toss together the chicken, 2 tablespoons olive oil, tomato paste, paprika, garlic, lemon zest, chili flakes, salt, and pepper. 3. Add the chicken to a large oven-safe skillet set over high heat. Sear on both sides until golden, 3-5 minutes. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the butter, then remove the chicken from the skillet. Add the orzo and thyme. Cook until toasted, about 1 minute. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, broth, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the fresh herbs. Slide the chicken and any juices left on the plate back into the skillet. 4. Bake, uncovered for 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.5. Serve the chicken and orzo topped with Tzakiki sauce and basil. Enjoy!
Really loved all the flavors in this one!! It was more liquidy when serving than the other orzo skillets of yours I’ve made but easy to scoop around and I’m sure will soak up in leftovers. Just curious – at which step do you add the third tablespoon of olive oil?
Thanks for the delicious recipe!
Hey! So happy to hear this recipe was enjoyed! Thanks for giving it a try! xT
My husband and I LOVE this recipe – one of our favorites! I have been trying to find the recipe for your homemade Tzatziki sauce, do you have it on your website?
Hey! Here is the link for my tzatziki recipe! xT
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/easy-tzatziki/
Recipe doesn’t specify how long to simmer for before putting i to overnight, also worries I added too much broth.
Hi Kelly,
So sorry, what do you mean about overnight? You also don’t need to simmer anything:) How much broth did you use? Let me know how I can help! xT
We absolutely loved this dish! Every recipe of yours we have done so far is a hit!! Many thanks! Xxx Anna-Louise from The Netherlands, Europe.
Hi Anna-Louise,
Happy Friday!!🇺🇸🫐🍒 Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out and your comment, I love to hear that it was a winner! xx
This dish is so flavoursome absolutely delicious! Everyone loved it!!
A first for myself cooking Orzo and I’ll be definitely making this again 🙌
I added some store brought tzatziki and a bit of feta for garnish! Super easy.. thanks so much for sharing such a great dish look forward to cooking some more of your
recipes ☺️
Thanks so much Kellie!! I love to hear that this dish was enjoyed and I appreciate you trying it! xT
The flavors of this dish are so good! The tomato paste gives the dish a lot of flavor. I let my chicken marinate in the tomato paste mixture for about and hour before searing. My only question, is this supposed to be soupy? I still had a lot of liquid left when the dish was finished. I just used a slotted spoon to drain some of it off when serving. I may only use 2 cups of broth next time. Will definitely make again!
Hi Hannah,
Thanks so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback! Did you use orzo? I wonder why it was so soupy! Let me know if there is anything that I can help with! xx
This recipe looks amazing and would be wonderful for an outdoor dinner party as you could bring the whole pan right from the oven to the table. What can be done ahead? For example, can the chicken marinate for a while? Can the Tzakiki be made ahead? How about browning the chicken and then waiting to toast the orzo and complete the recipe? Thank you for all your great recipes.
Hey Julie,
Sure, you could do as much in advance as you want! You could even serve this at room temp and I still think it would be delicious! Let me know if you have any other questions! xx
I’m new to cooking but have been loving all your recipes and starting to enjoy it! This may be a silly question but how do you cook with the 1/2 cup herbs such as basil and thyme? Do you chop the basil leaves or pull the thyme leaves off the stems?
Hi Kellie,
Yes, you’ll want to do that for the herbs:) Let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this recipe! xx
Loved this recipe and I was surprised how easy it was. What vegetable side dishes would you recommend?
Hi Em,
Amazing!! Thank you so much for making this recipe and sharing your feedback, I love to hear that it turned out well for you! Roasted cauliflower would be great! xx
We used chicken breast and added the optional/suggested feta (because feta is always a yes!). Due to time constraints, we also used store bought tzatziki. This was so yummy and so easy! We will definitely make this again.
Hi Kelly,
Wonderful!! I love to hear that you have been enjoying this recipe and appreciate your notes and feedback! xT
Wonderful as written. I did let it sit for 15 minutes after removing it from the oven to let the orzo absorb the wonderful sauce. And don’t leave off the tazekiki sauce!
MKL
Hey MaryKay,
Fantastic!! I love to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it! xx
I’ve made the twice, soooo good. I throw in a little bit of feta with the tzatziki, tastes good too! Another in rotation!
Hi Sarah,
Happy Sunday!! So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, thanks a lot for making it and your review! xT
This was delicious – the taziki is essential. It would have been too tomato-y without it (IMO). I made my own taziki which is almost as easy as store bought. 🙂
Thanks so much!! So glad to hear that you enjoyed this recipe:) Happy Friday! xT
Super simple yet so flavorful! This was quicker than I anticipated when putting together! My boyfriend loved it and asked for it to be a staple! The Nann bread is also a delicious touch! Didn’t have time to make my Tziki but can’t wait to next! Thanks for sharing
Hi Mary,
Wonderful!! I’m so glad to hear that this recipe was a winner, I appreciate you making it and your comment! xx
Easy and delicious – husband and toddler approved 🙂
Hey Alyson,
Thanks so much!! I love to hear that this recipe was delish and I appreciate you making it! xT
Do you cook the orzo before adding it or let it cook in the butter?
Hi Hattie,
The orzo is going to cook in steps 3 and 4:) I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any other questions! xT