Garlic Lemon Chicken with Spinach Feta GLUTEN FREE ORZO #healthyrecipes #healthy #easyrecipe

Crispy Garlic Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs served with Garlic Lemon Spinach Feta Orzo (Using Gluten Free Orzo Pasta)

Ingredients
For the Chicken:
• 4 bone-in or boneless, skin-on chicken thighs
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon (zested and juiced)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Garlic Lemon Spinach Feta Orzo:
• 1 cup gluten free orzo pasta, uncooked
• 2 cups chicken broth (low sodium)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• Juice of 1 lemon (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh herbs (parsley or dill) for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a bowl, mix olive oil, minced garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, rosemary, thyme, honey, salt, and pepper.
3. Rub the mixture over the chicken thighs, ensuring they are well coated. (If possible, marinade for 30 minutes for optimal flavor)
4. Place the chicken thighs skin-side up in a baking dish. Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until the skin is crispy and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
For the Garlic Lemon Spinach Feta Orzo:
5. In a large skillet, add 2 tablespoons olive oil with minced garlic over medium heat and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
6. Add 1 cup orzo and sauté for about 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently.
7. Add two cups of chicken broth to the large skillet with salt and pepper. Stir and reduce heat to simmer for about 15-20 minutes until chicken broth is absorbed and orzo is cooked all the way through.
8. Remove large skillet from heat and add two cups chopped spinach to the cooked orzo. Stir until combined. Then add 1/2 cup crumble feta with optional lemon juice, salt and pepper to taste and combine.
9. Serve the crispy chicken thighs over the garlic spinach feta orzo. Optionally, garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
10. Enjoy!