One-Pan Smoky Chicken & Orzo Bake
A Comforting, Flavour-Packed Traybake with Tender Chicken & Aromatic Spices
This easy chicken and orzo traybake is rich with smoky paprika, fragrant herbs, and zesty lemon. Everything cooks together in one roasting dish, letting the flavors meld beautifully while keeping cleanup minimal. Juicy, spice-crusted chicken thighs roast over orzo, onions, and cabbage, absorbing all the goodness from the seasoned stock.
Ingredients (Serves 4-6)
• 3 onions, thinly sliced
• ½ sweetheart cabbage, shredded
• 2 tbsp olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
• 1 cup orzo
• 6 skin-on chicken thighs
• Zest of 1 lemon, juice of ½ lemon
• 1½ cups cooled chicken stock
• 1 lemon, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• A few sprigs of fresh thyme
• Handful of fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped (plus extra for serving)
Seasoning Mix:
• 2 tbsp all-purpose seasoning
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• 2 tbsp sweet smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 1 tbsp garlic & onion herb powder
• 1 tbsp cracked black pepper
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C fan (220°C conventional).
2. Prepare the base: In a large roasting tray, toss the sliced onions and shredded cabbage with 2 tbsp olive oil. Spread evenly across the tray.
3. Add the orzo: Sprinkle the orzo over the vegetable base.
4. Season the chicken: Place the chicken thighs on top of the orzo and vegetables. Drizzle with a little olive oil, then sprinkle over the seasoning mix, chopped garlic, thyme sprigs, and parsley. Massage everything together with your hands to coat evenly.
5. Add the lemon & stock: Grate the lemon zest over the chicken, squeeze over the juice of half a lemon, and tuck the lemon slices around the chicken. Pour the chicken stock around the chicken, making sure the orzo is submerged.
6. Bake covered: Cover the tray tightly with foil and bake for 1 hour.
7. Final bake: Remove the foil, scatter over more fresh parsley, and return to the oven for another 20 minutes until the chicken skin is crispy and golden.
8. Serve: Spoon onto plates, making sure to scoop up the orzo and caramelized onions. Enjoy!
