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One Skillet Lemon Butter Dijon Chicken and Orzo with Feta Sauce, the perfect winter dinner…quick, easy, colorful and delicious! Pan-seared dijon chicken with lemon butter, cooked together with orzo pasta for an all-in-one dinner. Go that extra step and serve drizzled with a delicious creamy feta sauce. A dinner that everyone at the table will love.
I think the day I got my first Staub skillet was the day I created the “one skillet” dinner. Not saying I invented the one skillet dinner by any means. Just that that I invented it for myself that day. It was many, many years ago. But ever since then I’ve made countless one skillet dinners in my Staub pan. It’s a method of cooking I fall back on weekly.
Throwing everything in 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 so much 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 with that feta sauce. But trust me, it’s worth it!
The process – cook the chicken
Season the chicken with Dijon, garlic, shallots, a bit of rosemary and some paprika. I like to sear the skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs to give it a nice crisped base. Then I toss it in a little butter, add some lemon slices, and let everything cook up along side the chicken. The butter browns and everything smells delicious.
Next, pull the chicken and lemon out out of the skillet, then add the orzo and broth. Stir in the kale…or you could also use spinach. Then slide the chicken into the orzo and throw the whole skillet into the oven to finish cooking.
Make the feta sauce
I couldn’t share this recipe without including a sauce. You all know how it goes around here, never enough sauce. Enter my feta sauce. It’s whipped feta cheese with a bit of yogurt, lemon, and if you have some fresh herbs on hand, toss those in too.
The salty feta creates an addicting sauce. Every spoonful is delicious, but it adds the best taste over this dijon chicken.
It’s a real crowd pleaser, and comes out of the oven looking pretty and smells even more delicious. I threw some fresh dill on top for color and served the chicken and orzo right out of the skillet.
Perfect for easy weeknight dinners or even entertaining. It really brightens the table on a cold winter day! Leftovers can easily be stored in an airtight container.
Looking for other easy weeknight dinners? Here are some favorites.
Easy Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Souvlaki and Potatoes
Browned Garlic Butter Creamed Corn Cheese Ravioli
One Skillet Cheesy Broccoli Cheddar Orzo Bake
Lastly, if you make this One Skillet Lemon Butter Dijon Chicken and Orzo with Feta Sauce, 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 Lemon Butter Dijon Chicken and Orzo with Feta Sauce
Servings: 6
Calories Per Serving: 683 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Watch the How-To Reel
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 small shallots, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 1/2 cups orzo pasta
- 3 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 cups chopped kale
- chopped fresh dill, for serving
Feta Sauce
- 4-6 ounces feta cheese
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- juice from 1 lemon
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- 1. Preheat oven to 400° F. 2. In a bowl, mix 2 tablespoons olive oil, Dijon mustard, 3 cloves garlic, 1 shallot, rosemary, paprika, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Add the chicken and toss well to combine.3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken. Sear on both sides until golden, 3-5 minutes. During the last 2 minutes of cooking, add the butter and lemon slices. Remove everything from the skillet.4. Add the orzo, 1 shallot, and 1 clove of garlic. Cook until the orzo is toasted, about 2 minutes. Add the broth, kale, and 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat. Slide the chicken, lemon slices, and any juices left on the pan back into the skillet. Bake, uncovered for 15 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.5. Meanwhile, make the feta sauce. Combine the feta, yogurt, garlic, and lemon juice in a blender and blend until creamy. Stir in the paprika, and a pinch of red pepper flakes. If desired, thin with additional lemon juice.6. Serve the chicken and orzo topped with the feta sauce and dill.
This post was originally published on January 12, 2022
Hi!!
The feta sauce looks divine, however, I noticed in your IG video you stated you added olive oil to the feta sauce. I am not seeing it in your recipe. Do you still add a little olive oil along with all the other ingredients to make the sauce?
Thanks so much!!! Love your recipes!!!
Hey Christina,
If you need to thin your sauce out a bit then yes add a little olive oil. Please let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
Hi! I love your recipes and anything with lemon and butter, but sometimes I find that using lemon slices creates a bitter flavor. Any tips to avoid this? Thank you!!
Hey Rebecca,
You really want to make sure you get a nice caramelization on the lemon slices to avoid the bitterness. Let me know if you give the recipe a try, I hope you love it! xTieghan
This recipe is amazing! So flavorful and love the one-pan ease!
Hey Deborah,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
Seriously so perfect and yummy! My favorite recipe so far!
Hey Jeanel,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
Delicious!!! Tried it last night. Have enough for dinner tonight. Thank you
Hey Nicole,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
Made this tonight – yum!
Hey Debbie,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
I was doubtful at first especially when making the feta sauce but this turned out really really good!! Only modification is that i didn’t add kale.
Hey Mel,
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed! xxT
This is a winner! Loved everything about it. I started out in my Dutch oven but switched to my large cast iron. Used spinach and chicken thighs. I thought it was going to be too lemony but it’s perfect!
Hey Stephanie,
Happy Sunday!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it!! xxT
Has become one of my keeper recipes and favorites. Mediterranean based, which I favor for a regular, heathier diet and lifestyle. I often replace the kale with fresh spinach, and may try Bok Choy soon as I’m not typically a fan of kale.
Hey Jim,
Happy Sunday!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it!! xxT
I am making this today! Cheering on Red & Hailey from San Diego!!! xoxo
Thanks so much Susan! I hope you love the recipe!!
This was flavorful and delicious. I love the feta sauce.
Hey Amber,
Happy Sunday!! Love hearing that this recipe was a hit, thanks for making it!! xxT
For some reason mine was pretty bitter because of the lemon rinds. Any advice what I could do differently? Next time I might just leave them all the way out but it was so yummy other than the bitter notes.
Hey Nicole,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Try to really caramelize the the lemon rinds. Have the best weekend:) xT
LOVED IT!!!! Everything was perfect!!!!!
Hey Marne,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
My husband and two toddlers all loved this recipe. We will definitely be making it again!
Hey Stephanie,
Wonderful!! Thanks so much for making this recipe, I love to hear that it was a winner. Have the best weekend:) xT
Delicious! I was unsure at first about the sauce, but have to say it worked well with the dish!
Hey Mary,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xxT
Another winner!! Sooo delicious – great flavors and a perfect complete meal
Hey Stephanie,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xxT