Description
Sour cream and onion chicken thighs with orzo delight merge creamy textures with zesty flavors for a comforting meal. Home cooks can elevate weeknight dinners with this simple yet sophisticated Greek-inspired dish that brings satisfying warmth to the table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken thighs (skin-on, bone-in)
- ½ tbsps (7.5 ml) onion powder
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) ranch powder
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) garlic powder
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) kosher salt (plus more for other steps)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) butter
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 large green onion (sliced thinly, separate white parts from dark green parts)
Instructions
- Preparation: Remove chicken thighs from refrigerator, allowing them to air-dry and reach room temperature. Sprinkle kosher salt across surfaces to enhance skin crispiness.
- Seasoning Blend: Combine onion powder, ranch powder, garlic powder, and kosher salt in a shallow dish, creating an aromatic spice mixture for both chicken and orzo.
- Chicken Prep: Pat chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Season with salt and black pepper, then generously coat with the prepared spice blend.
- Searing: Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down, creating a golden, crisp exterior for approximately 5 minutes.
- Orzo Base: In the same pot, melt butter and sauté chopped green onion whites until translucent. Add orzo, toasting until lightly golden, then pour in chicken broth and simmer until pasta becomes tender.
- Creamy Fusion: Stir in remaining spice blend and sour cream, creating a rich, flavorful sauce. Adjust seasoning to taste and ensure even coating.
- Final Cooking: Nestle seared chicken thighs skin-side up into the orzo mixture. Continue cooking until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 160-165°F (71-74°C) and orzo absorbs the liquid completely.
- Serving: Garnish with finely chopped green onion tops or chives, adding a fresh, vibrant finish to the creamy chicken and orzo dish.
Notes
- Optimize Chicken Temperature: Let chicken thighs rest at room temperature before cooking to ensure even heat distribution and achieve perfectly crispy skin.
- Maximize Skin Crispiness: Thoroughly pat chicken dry with paper towels and use generous salt to draw out moisture, creating a golden, crunchy exterior.
- Control Cooking Heat: Sear chicken at medium-high heat to develop a beautiful golden color without burning the skin or causing uneven cooking.
- Perfect Orzo Texture: Toast orzo briefly before adding liquid to enhance its nutty flavor and prevent a mushy consistency, ensuring a delightful al dente finish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg