Greek Chicken with Orzo Salad and Lemon

Name: Greek Chicken with Orzo Salad and Lemon
Prep time: 55 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h 25 min
Yield: 16 servings
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 16 boneless skinless chicken thighs; 16 tablespoons spinach and artichoke cheese dip; 2 cups Greek vinaigrette, divided; 2 medium lemons, zested and juiced, divided; 1 pound uncooked orzo pasta; 1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained; 2 medium cucumbers, chopped; 16 cherry tomatoes, quartered; 1 medium red onion, finely chopped; 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted; 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, divided

Total Time Prep: 55 min. Bake: 30 min.

Yield 16 servings

Contest Winner

Test Kitchen Approved

Greek chicken is a family favorite and a hit with guests. With just a bit of prep time once a week, you'll have four day's worth of tantalizing lunches. —Lisa Benoit, Cookeville, Alabama

Ingredients

16 boneless skinless chicken thighs
16 tablespoons spinach and artichoke cheese dip
2 cups Greek vinaigrette, divided
2 medium lemons, zested and juiced, divided
1 pound uncooked orzo pasta
1 can (15 ounces) garbanzo beans or chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 medium cucumbers, chopped
16 cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, divided

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°. Pound chicken thighs slightly with a meat mallet to uniform thickness. Place 1 tablespoon spinach dip in center of each thigh. Roll up chicken from a short side; secure with toothpicks. Place seam side down in a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Pour 1 cup Greek vinaigrette and the zest and juice of 1 lemon over thighs. Bake, uncovered, 30-35 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink. Discard toothpicks.
Meanwhile, cook orzo according to package directions. Add to a large bowl with remaining 1 cup Greek vinaigrette, chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, almonds, 1/4 cup feta, and remaining zest and juice of 1 lemon. Mix well to coat.
Serve chicken with orzo salad, garnish with remaining 1/4 cup feta cheese.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving: 412 calories, 19g fat (4g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 374mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 3g fiber), 27g protein.

Greek chicken is a family favorite and a hit with guests. With just a bit of prep time once a week, you'll have four day's worth of tantalizing lunches. —Lisa Benoit, Cookeville, Alabama

Recipe Creator