One Pan Greek Chicken and Orzo

We love a Mediterranean flavored dish, and when you can make it in one dish, even better. 

We like a dinner that we don’t have to cut while eating, so I sliced up the chicken, before mixing it back in.

One Pan Greek Chicken

Ingredients

• 1 to 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp oregano
• Salt and Pepper
• 6 to 8 boneless, skin on chicken thighs*
• 3 cloves garlic, pressed/minced
• 1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
• 14 oz. chicken broth
• 1/2 cup kalmata olives, halved
• 1 tsp fresh dill weed
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 2 handfuls baby spinach leaves, lightly chopped 
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup roasted red bell pepper strips, chopped (no more then 2 pieces)
• 1/4 cup finely diced purple onion

Instructions

1. Preheat oven 425 degrees F.
2. Heat oil in a large, oven safe skillet over medium high heat. Season chicken thighs with oregano and salt and pepper on both sides and sear skin side down in skillet for 3 minutes. Flip and sear the other side for an additional 3 minutes. Transfer skillet to oven and cook 10 to 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Carefully remove skillet from oven and transfer chicken to a plate to keep warm. Drain any fat from skillet and discard.
3. Return the skillet to the stove top over medium heat. Saute the garlic until fragrant and then add in the orzo, chicken broth and olives. Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer covered for 15 minutes, or until pasta is tender.
4. Stir in the dill weed, lemon zest, and spinach, stirring until the spinach wilts slightly. Return the chicken to the skillet and warm. Top with the feta cheese, roasted red bell peppers and purple onion. 
5. Serve with flatbread and Tzatziki. 

Parmesan Brodo

I’ve been doing a little research on broths. From bone broth, to stock and consume. But Brodo has my fascination. 

Today I decided to make Parmesan Brodo as a base to boil my homemade ravioli, then become a sauce for the pasta. 

I started the Brodo this morning and let it simmer all day. Cooked the ravioli, the tightened it up a d coated the pasta. It was amazing. 

PARMESAN BRODO

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 Parmesan rinds
• 2 carrots peeled and chopped
• 3 celery stalk chopped
• 4-5 garlic cloves
• 1 onion halved
• 4 sprigs fresh oregano
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 5-5 whole peppercorns
• Salt to taste
• 8 cups broth

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. To a large saucepan, combine the Parmesan rinds, carrots, celery, garlic, onions, oregano, thyme, bay leaf and salt. 
2. Add 8 cups broth and bring to a simmer over medium heat. 
3. Simmer the broth for 1 hour 15 minutes, adjusting the heat to maintain a simmer and stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. (I simmered 6 hours)
4. Turn off the heat and allow the broth to cool slightly
5. Once cooled, strain Brodo, removing all solids. Place in containers. You can refrigerate or freeze until needed.