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Chicken-Orzo-Casserole-Recipe
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5 from 1 vote

Baked Chicken With Orzo

Succulent chicken quarters with creamy tomato orzo pasta. A flavorful casserole dish with basic ingredients.
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Greek
Keyword: Chicken, Oven baked, pasta
Servings: 2 to 3
Calories: 691kcal

Equipment

  • 1 dutch oven or oven-proof cooking pot

Ingredients

  • olive oil
  • 1 kg (2.2 pounds) chicken quarters, thighs or drumsticks
  • 200 grams (1 cup) orzo pasta
  • 400 grams (14 ounce) whole canned tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon tomato paste
  • 1 small onion minced
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 6 allspice berries or ⅔ teaspoon ground allspice
  • a pinch of cinnamon
  • 750 ml (3 cups) hot water or stock (chicken, or vegetable stock)
  • freshly ground pepper
  • grated Kefalotyri or Pecorino cheese to serve with

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 220°C / 430°F.
  • Pulse the whole canned tomatoes in a food processor or blender until smooth.
  • Add chicken to a Dutch oven or oven-proof cooking pot. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  • Roast the chicken for 30 to 40 minutes until golden on top. Then remove the chicken, set it aside, and place the Dutch oven on the stovetop.
  • Drop the oven's temperature to 180°C / 360°F.
  • Saute the onion and garlic in the chicken fat, if necessary add a bit more oil. Add also the bay leaf.
  • Add the orzo and saute for a minute.
  • Add the tomato paste, canned tomatoes, allspice, a pinch of cinnamon, and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes and pour in 750 ml hot water or stock. Add also the chicken on top.
  • Bake. Close the Dutch oven (or cooking pot if that's what you are using) and place it back in the oven. Cook for about 40 minutes (stirring the orzo 1-2 times meanwhile so it doesn't stick at the bottom).
  • Raise the oven's temperature to 200°C / 390°F.
  • Uncover the food and cook for 10 minutes more. Until orzo absorbs most of the sauce. If too sticky add a splash of more water.
  • Serve warm with grated cheese on top and freshly ground pepper.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 691kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 177mg | Sodium: 371mg | Potassium: 848mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 364IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 4mg