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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
Some times I find the lack of good directions for HBH recipes challenging. The cook has to read through all the comments to get the directions for the recipe correct. On this recipe you omit complete directions for 3. I think this is where you are expecting the lemon to carmelize. At least that was what you wrote in the comments to someone who wrote the taste was bitter. Protect your brand and make the directions complete.
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for your feedback. I am human so sometimes I might have a typo or mistake, I always try to go back and edit if necessary. For this recipe, everything is good to go! Let me know if you have any issues with it, have the best day! xTieghan
This was SO good! I’ve made a billion(ish) of your recipes, mostly because I know they will always be delicious (and they are!), but I’ve never come back to comment on one until now! People, make this recipe. Easy, delicious, and even still great as leftovers the next day! Thanks so much!
Hi Brittany,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
Made this tonight and as usual, the flavors were amazing! The feta sauce with the addition of the paprika is something I’ll be making over and over again. Served with some naan. Great weeknight dinner!
Hi Melissa,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
Tieghan – I made this tonight and WOW it was amazing!!! So much delicious flavor. And the feta sauce… whaaaaat?? so. good. Do not, I repeat do not skip on making this sauce for the recipe!!!
All of your recipes are sooo creative and delicious but this one was extra special. Thank you for sharing!!! 🙂
Hi Sara,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
Loved it! Lots of delicious layers of flavors from the tangy lemon, the richness of the garlic and shallots, and the bit of mustard. Surprisingly easy, and my family loved the orzo and the Feta cream sauce. I’ve been looking for an easy, no-fail recipe that is elegant enough to serve to company and this is perfect.
Hi Melinda,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
I just made the chicken part of the recipe because I can’t eat grains or dairy. I didn’t add any additional broth and thickened the remaining liquid at the end. I served it with mashed potatoes and peas. I might add capers to it next time. The chicken was delicious! Thank you!
Hi Ellen,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
So good I am officially an HBH groupie now ! I have made 5 HBH recipes in the last 2 weeks all are fantastic! Thank you so much for sharing your gift
This recipe is so easy and the flavors come together so well . Looks like it took all day …nope
To top it off it’s all in one pan easiest clean up
Chefs kiss
Hi Sandra,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! Thanks so much for your kind message:) xTieghan
Really good flavor however my sauce didn’t come out as creamy as I thought it would be. Maybe it had to do with the type of feta I used. But otherwise really tasty!
Hi Morgan,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! Did you use block feta? That works best. xTieghan
I’ll try that next time. Oh and my husband usually doesn’t like recipes I find online but he was a fan of this one!
Thanks so much Morgan!
I made this recipe today and it was such a success! I used bone in thighs so it did require 10 more mins in the oven but turned out great. The one thing I may reconsider is cooking the lemons in before the orzo. Made the dish a touch bitter for my taste but everyone else liked it. The feta sauce was also amazing, would recommend to use as a dip for a separate event but was great to use use to even out the lemon flavor.
Hi Liz,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
Exceptional! Good without the sauce, delicious with! I used dried rosemary & didn’t bother adding the dill. Comments were that this dinner was better than anything we had on vacation last week!
Hi Tracy,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
This was so good!!! I just went a little crazy with the lemon juice cause I love it. Just sent the recipe to all my girls.
Hi Candice,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
Made with Farro instead of orzo and it was delicious. Otherwise made recipe as stated.
Hi Holly,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
This recipe was delicious and thoroughly enjoyed by people from ages 3-65! It was simple and quick. I swapped kale for spinach and had a very happy crew! Great recipe!
Hi Courtny,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
So So Good! Absolutely worthy of serving to company! Definitely make the feta sauce, it’s easy and adds that special touch. Sneaked a bite of the left overs this morning and it’s even good cold!
Hi Lisa,
Awesome!! Thanks a bunch for trying this recipe out, I love to hear that it was a winner! xTieghan
Made this last night. Chicken was delicious but for some reason the orzo had a very bitter taste. It was the lemon slices. They tasted horrible and the flavour went into the orzo. Not sure why that happened? I had to cook my chicken breast longer as they were large and perhaps the lemon cooked too long? Not sure but unfortunately it ruined the dish.
Hi Karen,
So sorry to hear this! You really have to caramelize the lemons to ensure they don’t have a bitter taste. I hope this helps for next time! xTieghan