Baked Chicken & Orzo – Cozy Autumn Comfort Food

When the evenings turn crisp and leaves start to fall, nothing beats a hearty home-cooked meal. This Baked Chicken & Orzo recipe is the ultimate autumn comfort food—simple to prepare, full of flavor, and perfect for family dinners.

With just one pan and a few staple ingredients, you’ll have a cozy meal that feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening.

📝 Ingredients for Baked Chicken & Orzo

  • 4 chicken quarters
  • ½ cup orzo pasta
  • 200 ml tomato passata
  • ½ tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 small white onion
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 pinches nutmeg powder
  • 1 pinch cinnamon powder
  • 1 ½ cups chicken stock
  • 50 gm Feta cheese for garnishing
  • Salt and pepper to taste

👩🍳 Method

  1. Brown the chicken - Coat the chicken with olive oil, season, and brown in a heavy ovenproof pan. Remove and set aside.
  2. Build the base - In the same pan, sauté the onion, garlic, and bay leaf. Stir in the orzo pasta and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Add flavour - Mix in the tomato paste, passata, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Season and cook for 2 minutes.
  4. Bake until perfect - Stir in the chicken stock and place the chicken on top.
    • Preheat your oven to 180°C
    • Cover and bake for 20 minutes
    • Remove the lid, stir the orzo, and bake uncovered at 200°C for 10 minutes until most of the sauce is absorbed.
    • Once baked remove from the oven and allow to rest for 10 minutes so the flavours can settle.
    • Dish up, sprinkle with crumbled Feta and enjoy with warm crusty bread and a fresh salad.

🥄 Kitchen Tools You’ll Love

This one-pan chicken and pasta bake is made even easier with the right tools:

  • A Dutch oven or ovenproof casserole dish keeps the chicken tender and juicy.
  • A wooden spoon is ideal for stirring orzo without damaging your pan.
  • A sharp grater makes topping with Feta quick and effortless.

👉 Explore our [kitchen accessories collection] to find durable tools that make home cooking a joy.

🍂 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Seasonal & cozy: Perfect for autumn evenings.
  • One-pan dinner: Less washing up, more time at the table.
  • Family-friendly: Simple, hearty flavors everyone enjoys.

If you’re looking for an easy chicken bake recipe that’s both comforting and impressive, this Baked Chicken & Orzo is it.

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