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Top-down view of Mediterranean Chicken Casserole with melted mozzarella and fresh parsley on a wooden table.

Mediterranean Chicken Casserole with Crispy Skin and Creamy Orzo

An easy yet elegant Mediterranean Chicken Casserole featuring bone-in chicken thighs with crispy, herb-seasoned skin nestled in a creamy foundation of orzo pasta, sautéed bell peppers, and melted mozzarella cheese.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 585
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Primary Ingredients
  • 4-6 pieces Chicken Thighs Bone-in, skin-on
  • 1.5 cups (300g) Orzo Pasta Dry
  • 1 large Red Bell Pepper Sliced into strips
  • 1 large Green Bell Pepper Sliced into strips
  • 1 medium (150g) Red Onion Thinly sliced
  • 1 cup (115g) Mozzarella Cheese Shredded
  • 1 tbsp (3g) Dried Oregano
  • 1/4 cup (10g) Fresh Parsley Chopped
  • 3 cups (720ml) Chicken Broth
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) Extra Virgin Olive Oil Divided

Equipment

  • 1 Rustic Ceramic Baking Dish 9x13 or equivalent
  • 1 Heavy-Bottomed Skillet For searing chicken
  • 1 Tongs For handling chicken

Method
 

Preparation and Searing
  1. Dry chicken thighs thoroughly and season with salt, pepper, and half the oregano. In a hot skillet with olive oil, sear skin-side down for 6-8 minutes until golden-brown and crispy. Flip and cook for 2 more minutes, then remove.
Vegetables and Orzo
  1. In the same skillet, sauté sliced red onions and bell peppers until softened and onions are translucent. Stir in dry orzo and toast for 1 minute.
Assembly and Baking
  1. Transfer the orzo and vegetable mixture to a ceramic baking dish. Pour in chicken broth and remaining oregano. Nestle chicken thighs on top, keeping skin above the liquid.
  2. Cover with foil and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20 minutes. Remove foil, top with mozzarella, and bake 5-10 minutes more until cheese is melted.
  3. Top with a generous amount of freshly chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

Use a heavy skillet to ensure a deep golden sear on the chicken skin.
Maintain the broth-to-orzo ratio to ensure a creamy foundation.