Chicken Skewers Orzo Bowls with Lemon
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
15 mins
-
Cook Time
30 mins
-
Additional Time
2 hrs
-
Servings
6
-
Calories
643 kcal
-
Course
Main Course
-
Cuisine
Greek
Chicken Skewers Orzo Bowls with Lemon
Description
This recipe starts by pulsing fresh herbs, garlic, and lemon zest in olive oil to make a vibrant marinade for bite-sized pieces of chicken thigh, which are soaked for up to two hours to infuse flavor. The chicken is then skewered and seared in a hot pan to develop a golden exterior, then finished in the oven to ensure thorough cooking. The orzo pasta is cooked and finished with butter for richness, serving as a base for the chicken skewers.
The accompanying lemon sauce blends olive oil with Dijon mustard, fresh lemon juice, and a touch of sugar to create a balanced dressing that adds a bright, tangy contrast to the savory chicken and creamy orzo. Serving the bowls garnished with feta cheese, olives, and cherry tomatoes introduces salty, briny, and juicy elements that create a well-rounded meal.
Wooden skewers should be soaked ahead to prevent burning during cooking. The recipe notes that the lemon sauce can be stored refrigerated for up to two weeks, making it suitable for meal prep or batch cooking.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs chicken thighs skinless and boneless
- 2 cups orzo pasta
- 1 tablespoon butter
For the chicken marinade
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 garlic clove
- ¼ parsley fresh bunch
- ¼ cup rosemary fresh leaves
- 1 lemon zested
For the lemon sauce
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ⅓ cup lemon juice fresh
- 1 teaspoon sugar
For serving
- ½ cup feta cheese Greek
- ½ cup olive
- 1 cup cherry tomato
Instructions
Make the chicken marinade
- Place extra virgin olive oil, rosemary leaves, parsley, a garlic clove and zest from one lemon in a food processor. Pulse until the greens and garlic are well chopped but not pureed.Cut the thighs into bite-size pieces of about an inch in width. Place them in a bowl with the marinade, and marinate for 1 to 2 hours.
- Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers. If you use wood-bamboo skewers, soak them in water for 30 minutes before adding the chicken.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C / 360°FHeat a cast pan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add a tablespoon of olive oil and sear the skewers until they get a nice color, approximately two minutes on each side. Resist moving the skewers while they sear.
- Transfer skewers to a baking sheet and finish cooking in the oven at 180°C for 15 minutes.The chicken needs to be fully cooked with liquids running clear and no pink color at all.
Make the lemon sauce
- Place the mustard, olive oil, lemon juice, a pinch of sea salt, and a teaspoon of sugar in the food processor, blender, or jar.Blend (or shake) until the ingredients are homogenized and have transformed into a thick sauce.
- Make the orzo according to the instructions and cut the cherry tomatoes in half.
- Serve the chicken skewers with a bowl of orzo, cherry tomatoes, feta, olives, and a generous drizzle of lemon sauce.
Notes
- Soak wooden or bamboo skewers in water for at least 30 minutes before threading chicken to prevent burning during cooking.
- The lemon sauce remains fresh when stored in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
- Ensure chicken is fully cooked with clear juices and no pink inside before serving.
- Use fresh herbs and lemon zest in the marinade to maximize flavor infusion into the chicken.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 643 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 643kcal | 32% |
| Carbohydrates | 43g | 14% |
| Protein | 34g | 68% |
| Fat | 37g | 57% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6g | 35% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Trans Fat | 0.2g | 10% |
| Cholesterol | 164mg | 55% |
| Sodium | 484mg | 20% |
| Potassium | 541mg | 12% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 438IU | 9% |
| Vitamin C | 21mg | 23% |
| Calcium | 105mg | 11% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
