Description
Tender Greek-seasoned chicken thighs cooked with orzo, lemon, garlic, spinach, and feta cheese in the Instant Pot, delivering a flavorful, easy one-pot Mediterranean dinner perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Chicken and Seasoning
- 600 g boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups fresh spinach
Liquids and Grains
- 1 1/2 cups orzo
- 3 cups chicken broth
Additional Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, evenly coat the boneless, skinless chicken thighs with dried oregano, paprika, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper to infuse bold Greek flavors.
- Sauté the chicken: Set the Instant Pot to the Sauté function and heat olive oil. Sear the seasoned chicken thighs for 2–3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden crust. Remove and set aside to prevent overcooking later.
- Cook aromatics: To the same pot, add diced onion and sauté for about 2 minutes until softened. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add liquids and orzo: Pour in the chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits. Stir in the orzo pasta and cherry tomatoes to distribute evenly in the broth.
- Pressure cook the chicken and orzo: Place the seared chicken thighs on top of the orzo mixture. Secure the Instant Pot lid and set it to cook on High Pressure for 6 minutes to cook the chicken thoroughly while the orzo absorbs the flavorful broth.
- Release pressure and stir: Perform a quick pressure release carefully. Remove the chicken from the pot and give the orzo a good stir so it doesn’t clump.
- Finish with greens and citrus: Stir fresh spinach into the hot orzo until wilted. Add lemon juice and zest to brighten the flavors. Slice the cooked chicken and nestle it back into the pot.
- Serve garnished: Sprinkle crumbled feta and fresh parsley over the top before serving to add creamy tanginess and freshness.
Notes
- Stir the orzo well after cooking to prevent it from sticking together.
- Chicken breasts can be substituted for thighs, but avoid overcooking as they dry out faster.
- Optionally, add Kalamata olives for extra Mediterranean flavor complexity.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course, One-Pot
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
