Savor the bold Mediterranean flavor of lemon, feta, and Kalamata olives in this comforting but highly satisfying and super lazy dish. With 41 grams of protein per serving, it’s a great high-protein meal when you are looking for something healthy.

Don’t you just love those “throw it all in and bake it” type of dishes? I love them.

They allow me to create a meal that’s delicious and satisfying, without having to spend hours cooking in the kitchen.

Here, you’ll get delicious chicken, ozro, cherry tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, Kalamata olives, and tangy feta cheese. That’s what I call a TRULY LAZY MEAL!

Since this dish packs an impressive 41 grams of protein per serving, it’s a great option when you want to keep yourself (or your family) full for hours.

And, it’s the perfect meal to bake when you have dinner guests to impress but not a lot of time to prepare.

Ingredients and Substitutes

Chicken breasts, boneless and skinless (1 1/2 lb) –Swap for chicken thighs (make sure they are boneless and skinless) or use firm tofu for a plant-based version.

Extra virgin olive oil (1 tbsp) – Substitute with avocado oil, sunflower oil, or melted coconut oil.

Dijon mustard (1 tbsp) – Replace with whole grain mustard or yellow mustard.

Garlic, minced (4 cloves) – You can also use garlic powder or garlic paste.

Dried oregano (1 tbsp) – Try Italian seasoning or dried basil if you don’t have dried oregano.

Dried thyme (1 tsp) – Rosemary or marjoram are great alternatives.

Garlic powder (1 tsp) – You can replace it with onion powder or more minced garlic.

Kosher salt (½ tsp)

Black pepper (½ tsp)

Cherry or grape tomatoes (3 cups) – Swap for diced Roma or heirloom tomatoes. You can even use canned diced tomatoes if you don’t have fresh ones.

Red bell pepper (1) – Use any color of bell peppers.

Small zucchini (1) – Replace with yellow squash or eggplant.

Kalamata olives (½ cup) – Substitute with green olives, black olives, or remove them if you don’t care for olives.

Feta cheese, crumbled (½ cup + 2 tbsp) – You can use goat cheese, ricotta cheese, or shredded Parmesan cheese.

Dry orzo (1 1/2 cups) – Swap with couscous, farro, quinoa, or rice.

Chicken broth (2 1/2 cups) – Vegetable broth or beef broth are good replacements.

Greek yogurt (¼ cup) – Use plain yogurt, sour cream, or dairy-free yogurt.

Juice from 1 large lemon – Replace with lime juice or white vinegar.

Fresh parsley (¼ cup) – Substitute with fresh cilantro, basil, or dried parsley.

How to Make Greek Chicken Orzo Bake

Step 1. Preheat your oven to 400F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces and place them in the baking dish.

Step 2. Coat the chicken bites with olive oil, Dijon mustard, garlic, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

Give everything a good stir to combine all the ingredients.

Step 3. Add the tomatoes, chopped bell pepper, zucchini, olives, and ½ cup of the feta cheese.

Step 4. Toss all the ingredients.

Step 5. Add the orzo on top.

Step 6. Whisk together the chicken broth and Greek yogurt, and then pour it into the baking dish. Give it a stir to make sure the orzo is submerged.

Step 7. Place the baking dish in the oven uncovered and cook for 35-40 minutes, or until the orzo is tender and the chicken is fully cooked.

Remove from the oven, and add the rest of the feta, lemon juice, and parsley. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes to let it thicken.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

How I Would Modify This Recipe

• Making it gluten-free: Replace the orzo with a gluten-free orzo or any other gluten-free pasta. You can also use quinoa or rice instead.
• Going low–carb: Swap the orzo for cauliflower rice. Just keep in mind that the cauliflower rice cooks faster and you might need to add less chicken broth.
• Add more veggies: Toss in a handful of spinach at least 5 minutes before you remove it from the oven. You can also add some eggplant or mushrooms.

My Storage Tips

If you have any leftovers, place them in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days. To reheat it, place it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

You might want to add a splash of water or chicken broth to make it creamy again since the orzo might soak up all the juices.