This Greek Chicken Casserole is a delicious, nutritious, and family-friendly one-pan meal. Made with chicken, orzo, veggies, and feta, it’s packed with protein and flavor, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
With over 30 grams of protein per serving and a balance of carbohydrates, fiber, and healthy fats, this casserole is hearty, satisfying, and easy to make.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- One-Pan Convenience: Minimal prep and cleanup.
- High in Protein: Chicken and feta provide a protein-rich meal.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Keeps well in the fridge or freezer.
- Versatile: Can be made in the oven or slow cooker.
Ingredients
- 2 cups uncooked orzo
- 1 lb cooked chicken, shredded (≈3 chicken breasts or 6 thighs)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup sundried tomatoes, diced
- 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled, plus extra for serving
- ¼ cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced (optional)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 5 cups chicken broth (or water)
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Optional Substitutions:
- Onion powder for onion, garlic powder for garlic
- Fresh oregano for dried oregano
- Frozen spinach, thawed and pressed
Instructions
- Prep Oven and Chicken: Preheat oven to 400°F. If using raw chicken, bake breasts or thighs for 25 minutes, then shred.
- Sauté Onion: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, toss diced onion with olive oil. Bake for 5 minutes.
- Combine Ingredients: Remove dish from oven. Add orzo, garlic, sundried tomatoes, spinach, olives (optional), oregano, salt, and olive oil. Stir to combine.
- Add Chicken and Feta: Mix in shredded chicken, feta, lemon juice, and zest.
- Add Broth: Pour in chicken broth and stir until ingredients are mostly submerged.
- Bake Covered: Cover dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove foil, stir, and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until orzo is cooked and liquid absorbed.
- Rest and Serve: Let casserole rest 5 minutes. Sprinkle with extra feta and parsley before serving.
Slow Cooker Option
Prepare ingredients as above, place in slow cooker, cover, and cook:
- High: 2½–3 hours
- Low: 5–6 hours
Finish by stirring and garnishing as directed.
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes (thawed) or 40–50 minutes (frozen); microwave 2–3 minutes (thawed).
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with a fresh Greek salad for extra veggies.
- Add extra vegetables like zucchini, artichoke hearts, or bell peppers.
- Boost protein with additional shredded chicken.
Nutrition (per serving, 6 servings)
- Calories: ~450 kcal
- Protein: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Fat: 18g
This Greek Chicken Casserole is a simple, flavorful, and wholesome dinner the whole family will love.