Lemon Dijon Chicken Orzo with Spinach & Feta Yogurt Sauce Recipe
This Lemon Dijon Chicken Orzo with Spinach & Feta Yogurt Sauce is a vibrant, flavorful meal combining tender chicken marinated in zesty lemon and Dijon mustard with tender orzo pasta and fresh spinach. Topped with a creamy and tangy feta yogurt sauce, this dish perfectly balances savory, citrus, and herbaceous notes for a nutritious and satisfying dinner.
- Author: Douaa
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Lemon Dijon Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Orzo & Spinach:
- 1 cup dry orzo pasta
- 2 cups fresh spinach
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Feta Yogurt Sauce:
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill (or parsley)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Black pepper, to taste
- Cook the Orzo: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orzo according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain the orzo and set aside.
- Sauté the Chicken: In a bowl, combine olive oil, Dijon mustard, lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Toss the sliced chicken breasts in this marinade to coat evenly. Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown and fully cooked through.
- Add Spinach: Using the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil and fresh spinach. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until the spinach is wilted. Stir in the cooked orzo and toss gently to combine and heat through.
- Prepare the Feta Yogurt Sauce: In a small bowl, mix together plain Greek yogurt, crumbled feta cheese, lemon juice, chopped fresh dill (or parsley), olive oil, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble & Serve: Spoon the lemon Dijon chicken and orzo-spinach mixture into serving bowls. Drizzle generously with the feta yogurt sauce. Garnish with extra fresh herbs if desired. Serve warm for a wholesome, flavorful meal.
Notes
- You can substitute fresh parsley if dill is unavailable for the sauce.
- For extra zest, add a pinch of lemon zest to the feta yogurt sauce.
- Leftover chicken and orzo can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- To make this dish gluten-free, substitute orzo with gluten-free pasta or quinoa.
- Adjust seasoning in the marinade according to your taste preference for salt and pepper.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 540 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 48 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Keywords: lemon chicken, Dijon mustard chicken, orzo pasta, spinach recipe, feta yogurt sauce, Mediterranean chicken, healthy chicken dinner