Instant Pot Greek Chicken with Orzo

Introduction

Instant Pot Greek Chicken with Orzo is an easy, flavor-forward, one-pot meal that brings a burst of Mediterranean sunshine to your table. With classic Greek seasonings, juicy chicken, tender orzo, and bright pops of feta and lemon, this dish is a weeknight hero. It’s the ideal dinner when you want something hearty, wholesome, and loaded with zesty flavors—all with minimal cleanup.

Why You’ll Love Instant Pot Greek Chicken with Orzo

This recipe is a true crowd-pleaser thanks to its savory herbs, tangy feta, and the simplicity of making everything in a single pot. The Instant Pot ensures tender chicken and perfectly cooked orzo in less time than traditional stovetop methods, retaining moisture and flavor. Plus, it’s versatile: serve it for a cozy family meal or as a make-ahead lunch for your week.

The Secret to Flavorful Greek Chicken in the Instant Pot

By searing the chicken right in the Instant Pot before pressure cooking, you develop golden color and savory notes that complement classic Greek ingredients like garlic, oregano, and lemon. The orzo cooks alongside the chicken, soaking up all those delicious flavors for a comforting, cohesive dish.

Ingredients for Success

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized, aisle-by-aisle shopping list for all your meals—making busy grocery runs extra efficient.

Instructions

1. Set Instant Pot to sauté mode. Heat olive oil, then add chicken, oregano, basil, garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Sear the chicken pieces on both sides until golden (about 2 minutes per side). Transfer chicken to a plate.
2. Add diced onion to the pot and sauté for 2-3 minutes, until softened. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant.
3. Pour in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in the orzo, olives, cherry tomatoes, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Sprinkle in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt.
4. Return chicken and any juices to the pot, nestling pieces into the orzo mixture.
5. Lock the lid and set the Instant Pot to Manual (Pressure Cook) on high for 6 minutes. Once done, let it naturally release pressure for 5 minutes, then quick release any remaining steam.
6. Carefully open the lid. If desired, shred or chop chicken for easier serving. Stir in feta cheese and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Serving Suggestions for a Complete Greek-Inspired Meal

Pair this Instant Pot Greek Chicken with Orzo with a crisp cucumber salad or roasted veggies for a balanced dinner. Add extra lemon wedges on the side for more zing and a sprinkle of fresh dill, if you love herby flavors. It’s a terrific make-ahead lunch too—store in airtight containers for up to 3 days in the fridge!

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes about 4 generous servings. Each serving (including feta and orzo) contains approximately 410 calories, 27g protein, 12g fat, and 40g carbohydrates. It’s a well-rounded meal with protein, veggies, and grains all in one.

Instant Pot Greek Chicken with Orzo (Recap)

You get the magic of Greek comfort food—tender chicken, aromatic herbs, salty olives and feta, and bright citrus—all in less than 30 minutes, thanks to the Instant Pot. Flavorful, no-fuss, and truly satisfying, it’s a weeknight dinner you’ll want to keep on repeat.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is a fantastic addition to your weekly meal prep! Save and schedule this meal to see all your planned recipes and auto-generate a consolidated grocery list for the week.

Benefits:

• CookifyAI automatically tallies your total ingredient needs—so if you’re making chicken twice, your shopping list will show the grand total required.
• Every ingredient is sorted by store section, eliminating forgotten items and duplicate trips.
• Enjoy less stress and more variety in your week by planning meals in advance!

Pro tip: Schedule your recipes to visualize overlapping ingredients and minimize food waste. Meal planning is easy and enjoyable with CookifyAI’s smart tools.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes