Name: Chicken Tomato Orzo Bake
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: Serves 4 People
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 6 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on (1kg or 2 pounds); 2 tbsp Olive oil; 3 tbsp Lemon juice, freshly squeezed; 3 garlic cloves; 1 1/2 tsp paprika powder; 1 tsp oregano; 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp ground pepper; 300 g (2 cups) Risoni, Orzo, Kritaraki pasta; 720 ml (3 cups) chicken broth; 60 g (2 cups) baby spinach; 200 g (1 1/4 cup) cherry tomatoes; 1 burrata cheese

Chicken Tomato Orzo Bake

I absolutely love this recipe because everything is prepared in one baking dish, in the oven. No piles of dishes, no endless washing up, no complicated prep. A quick, heavenly meal for the whole family—and the kids love it too. This is the kind of recipe where you layer the ingredients together and add them at just the right moments so everything comes together into a perfect, irresistible dish. First, you roast the chicken thighs, then add mini pasta, tomatoes, spinach, and cheese for creaminess. The result? A juicy, rich, insanely delicious meal with zero fuss.

You will make this recipe time and time again

Orzo pasta slowly cooks in the oven while the chicken thighs roast to perfectly juicy perfection—yes, this recipe practically calls for comfort, and these are its top highlights:

Everything is made in one baking dish, which means less cleanup and washing up.
The oven does all the work for us—we just add the ingredients as we go.
The chicken is juicy with beautifully crispy skin, and the pasta is rich and full of flavor.
Baby spinach adds freshness, along with always-perfect Lušt tomatoes.
A stress-free, perfect family meal that kids absolutely love.

Tips and tricks

Orzo pasta with chicken thighs, tomatoes, and spinach is proof that the best recipes are often the simplest. These are the tips we stick to:

Use a large, deep baking dish so there’s enough room for the meat and the orzo can spread out evenly.
Season the meat well before baking to ensure it’s flavorful and juicy.
Make sure the orzo is completely covered with liquid so it can cook properly in the oven, while the tops of the chicken thighs (the skin) stay above the liquid to remain crispy.
For extra creaminess, stir in burrata or ricotta—this combination is absolutely divine
Roast the tomatoes so they meld beautifully into the sauce, and add the spinach at the end so it just gently wilts.

Storing

The dish is always best prepared fresh, but if you have any leftovers, you can safely save them for later.

Transfer them to an airtight storage container, seal well, and keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Before serving, reheat thoroughly on the stovetop, in the oven, or in the microwave.

How to make Chicken Orzo Bake at home (video)

Check out this short video for an easier way to prepare the dish at home.

Next, try these chicken thighs recipes

Made in collaboration with Paradajz d.o.o.

Ingredients

Chicken

6 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on (1kg or 2 pounds)

2 tbsp Olive oil

3 tbsp Lemon juice, freshly squeezed

3 garlic cloves

1 1/2 tsp paprika powder

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp ground pepper

Pasta

300 g (2 cups) Risoni, Orzo, Kritaraki pasta

720 ml (3 cups) chicken broth

60 g (2 cups) baby spinach

200 g (1 1/4 cup) cherry tomatoes

1 burrata cheese

Tools and equipment

Baking dish

Plates

METHOD

Preparation

Place the oven rack in the middle of the oven and preheat the oven to 210°C (410°F). Prepare a large, deep baking dish.
Chicken

Place the chicken thighs in the baking dish and add olive oil and seasonings. Rub everything well into the meat and set aside for 15 minutes. Then place the chicken in the oven and bake at 210°C (410°F) for 30–35 minutes. Once the chicken is golden brown, remove the baking dish from the oven. Pour off and discard half of the fat from the dish.
Bake the pasta

Into the same baking dish, add the mini pasta, hot broth, and the halved cherry tomatoes, then stir to combine. Place the chicken on top of the pasta. Make sure the broth covers the pasta, while the chicken skin stays above the liquid. Return the dish to the oven and bake for another 25 minutes.
Finish and serve

Remove the baking dish from the oven. Take the chicken out and transfer it to a plate. Add the baby spinach and burrata to the pasta in the baking dish. Gently stir until the cheese melts and the spinach wilts slightly. Return the chicken to the dish and serve.

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Chicken Tomato Orzo Bake