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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- we have wheat allergies in my family and I can’t find gluten free orzo anywhere… any suggestions for an orzo sibstitution? Could I use rice? Gluten free rotini?
Hi! Yes, I think rice should work fine! xT
I don’t know how you do it – your recipes literally never miss
I came home super tired from work and everyone was hungry. This being one pot drew me in and I actually had most of the ingredients. SO EASY, SO Tasty! That one pot is completely empty 😂 this is going in my rotation THANK YOU
Wow thank you so so much! So glad this one pot recipe worked well for you! xT
I was only halfway through making this dish and I was already so excited to share it with my family. The smells and texture of everything. I knew it was going to be a hit. And it was! My husband and I have been married for 24 years and I cook complicated and complex meals 3-4x a week. (Bobby Flay, Tyler Florence recipes etc.) bc we’re foodies. He said it was the best thing I have EVER put on the table! I only wish I had taken pictures. I was just too excited about it to remember to. Darnit. But I will absolutely be making it again. So next time. Thank you so much for the recipe. It would be a fabulous dish for a dinner party without question.
Hey Jody! Wow it sounds like you really nailed this recipe! I’m so glad you and your fam loved it! Thanks for giving the recipe a try and for taking the time to leave such a kind comment! xT
This is one of my favorite dishes of yours! I’ve made it a few times now and had to come back to comment 😀
Hey Rachel! Thank you so such for taking the time to leave such a sweet comment! I really appreciate it! xT
I am currently eating the dish and it is making me soooo happy! I will be making this meal again real soon😍
Hi Jamie,
Happy Friday!! I am thrilled to hear that this recipe was such a hit! Thanks so much for giving it a try!😎☀️ xT
We wanted to love this, but I think there’s too much going on that my husband, kids & I didn’t love all together. I made it exactly as written except subbed Spinach for Kale. We really enjoyed the Orzo portion (though it did take 30 minutes in the oven to fully cook through), but the chicken we didn’t. I think it’s the dijon that wasn’t working for us – used Grey Poupon, so not worried about mustard quality, and a new bottle. We did REALLY enjoy the Feta Dip! That got 5 stars, the chicken/orzo 3 stars, so I averaged to 4. I’ll definitely make the Feta dip again – just to go along with some pitas. Not a bad recipe overall, just all the flavors didn’t work for our family. I’m glad I found your site – I see some other recipes I’ll definitely try out!
Hi Betsy,
Thanks so much for giving this dish a try and sharing your feedback! So sorry to hear it wasn’t the best, but thanks for highlighting the parts that you enjoyed:) xx
Hi Tieghan!
This is my favorite recipe, and I have made it several times. Do you have any suggestions on how to make it ahead to bring it to someone’s house? I want to bring it to my daughter and her husband who just had a baby but not sure of how to prepare it.
Thanks
Hey Kim,
If they are going to eat it that night, I would just make the recipe as is and cover with foil and just have them reheat in the oven on low. I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any other questions! xT
I make a lot of half baked harvest recipes and this has to be one of my favourites I’ve made! Pretty simple to make and the flavours are amazing! My husband keeps commenting on the “fancy dinner” I made lol. I’ll be adding this to the rotation more frequently.
Hi Shaina,
Happy Wednesday!!🍊🍋 I appreciate you trying this recipe and your feedback, so glad to hear that it turned out well for you! xx
I made this recipe the other night and found the lemons left a very bitter flavour throughout the dish. What could I have done wrong? I want to try it again.
Hi Leila,
Thanks for trying this recipe, so sorry to hear about the lemons! Next time you could just skip the lemon slices and use the juice instead. I hope this helps! xT
Thoughts on a good substitute for feta? Soft cheeses give me migraines.
Great website and thanks!
Hi Diane,
You could use ricotta in place of the feta, that would work well for you! Let me know if you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it! xx
This is a go to of mine since you published it. I just love the flavors and lemon, it’s easy to put together, and the feta sauce puts it over the top. Absolutely delicious!
Hi Sarah,
Happy Wednesday!! I love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you and appreciate you making it! xT
Delicious! The sauce really makes it 🙂
Hi Olivia,
Happy Monday!! Love to hear that this recipe turned out well for you, thanks so much for making it! xT
An absolute favorite!!
Hi there,
Thanks so much!! I love to hear that this recipe was delish and I appreciate you making it! xT
What green would you recommend other than Kale? Can’t wait to make this!
Hi Jamie,
Spinach would be another great option for you to use! Please let me know if you have any other questions, I hope you love this dish! xx
Sooo tasty! Easy to follow & turned out perfect. As always, your sauces take the recipes to the next level 🙂 Added some dill to the blender for the feta sauce, and gave it an extra flavor punch. Thank you!
Hi Molly,
Happy Thursday! I am so glad to hear that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a lot for making it:)