One Pan Lemon Chicken Thighs and Farro
This One Pan Lemon Chicken Thighs and Farro recipe is a delicious Mediterranean-inspired meal packed with bright lemon flavors, tender chicken, and nutty farro. Perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup!
This One Pan Lemon Chicken Thighs and Farro is a flavorful, hearty dish that brings together juicy, herb-marinated chicken thighs with the nutty, chewy texture of farro, all infused with the bright, fresh flavors of lemon and garlic. It's an ideal recipe for weeknight dinners simple to make, full of flavor, and easy to clean up since it all comes together in one skillet. If you love Mediterranean-inspired flavors with a wholesome twist, this dish will become a go-to in your rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Dish
Hearty and Satisfying: Farro is packed with protein and fiber, making this dish both filling and nutritious.
Bright and Flavorful: Lemon zest, garlic, and herbs bring vibrant, fresh flavors that complement the tender chicken.
One-Pan Wonder: Easy to make and even easier to clean up! This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
Versatile and Customizable: Adjust the seasonings or add vegetables for a more personalized dish.
Ingredients and Tips
For the Chicken Marinade:
2 tbsp dried oregano: Adds a Mediterranean herbaceous flavor that pairs beautifully with chicken.
1 tbsp dried minced onion: Adds a subtle, slightly sweet onion flavor without overpowering the other ingredients.
4-5 cloves garlic, minced: Garlic infuses the chicken with depth and warmth. Fresh garlic is best, but feel free to use pre-minced garlic if needed.
Zest of one lemon: Lemon zest is crucial here—it brings a bright, fresh citrus flavor without the acidity of lemon juice.
½ tsp salt & ½ tsp black pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
2-3 tbsp olive oil: Helps the marinade stick to the chicken and adds moisture, ensuring juicy thighs.
5 chicken thighs: Bone-in, skin-on thighs work best for maximum flavor and tenderness, but boneless thighs can work as well.
For the Farro:
1 ½ tbsp olive oil: Adds richness to the farro and prevents it from sticking to the pan.
1 large yellow onion, diced: The onion adds a mild sweetness and helps create a flavorful base for the farro.
1 cup dried farro: Farro has a nutty flavor and chewy texture, which is perfect for soaking up the flavors in this dish. Be sure to rinse the farro before cooking.
2 cups chicken stock: Adds depth of flavor and keeps the farro tender as it cooks. You can use low-sodium broth if you prefer more control over the salt.
1 ½ tsp dried oregano: Enhances the flavors in the farro and complements the marinated chicken.
5-6 cloves garlic, minced: Adds a bold garlic flavor to the farro, creating a warm, savory base.
Salt & pepper to taste: Season according to your preference.
Lemon slices (optional): These add a lovely citrus aroma as the dish bakes, but they’re optional if you prefer a milder lemon flavor.
Fresh minced parsley for garnish: A sprinkle of parsley adds a pop of color and freshness to finish the dish.
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a small bowl, combine dried oregano, minced onion, garlic, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and olive oil to create a loose paste.
Place the chicken thighs in a large zip-lock bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Massage the marinade into the chicken until fully coated.
Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to overnight for the best flavor.
Step 2: Sear the Chicken
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large, oven-safe skillet (like cast iron), heat 1 ½ tbsp olive oil over medium heat.
Add the marinated chicken thighs, skin-side down, and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Farro
In the same skillet (with the chicken grease left in), add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened.
Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to a minute until fragrant.
Stir in the farro, oregano, salt, and pepper, and cook for about 1 minute to toast the farro slightly.
Pour in the chicken stock and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Step 4: Bake
Nestle the chicken thighs back into the skillet on top of the farro. Add lemon slices on top if desired for extra lemon flavor.
Cover the skillet with foil and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the farro is tender, and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Once cooked, garnish with fresh minced parsley for a burst of color and flavor.
Serve warm and enjoy!
Tips for Success
Marinate for Flavor: Marinating the chicken for at least 15 minutes helps infuse it with flavor, but if you have time, letting it sit overnight makes it even better.
Farro Cooking Tips: If you prefer a softer texture, cook the farro with a bit more chicken stock. It will absorb the flavors and become tender as it bakes.
One-Pan Cleanup: If using a cast iron skillet, wipe it lightly with paper towels between steps to avoid sticking and burning.
Customize with Veggies: Add veggies like bell peppers or zucchini to the farro for extra flavor and nutrients.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is perfect for those who love a comforting yet bright and fresh dish with minimal cleanup. The lemon zest and oregano infuse the chicken with a Mediterranean flair, while farro adds a wholesome, chewy texture that makes it a satisfying meal. It’s quick to prepare and customizable, making it ideal for family dinners or meal prepping. Plus, it’s all done in one pan, saving you time on dishes!
One Pan Lemon Chicken Thighs and Farro
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tbsp dried minced onion
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- Zest of one lemon
- ½ tsp salt & ½ tsp black pepper
- 2-3 tbsp olive oil
- 5 chicken thighs
- 1 ½ tbsp olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, diced
- 1 cup dried farro
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 ½ tsp dried oregano
- 5-6 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Lemon slices (optional)
- Fresh minced parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken. In a small bowl, combine dried oregano, minced onion, garlic, lemon zest, salt, pepper, and olive oil to create a loose paste.
- Place the chicken thighs in a large zip-lock bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Massage the marinade into the chicken until fully coated.
- Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to overnight for the best flavor.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Sear the Chicken. In a large, oven-safe skillet (like cast iron), heat 1 ½ tbsp olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the marinated chicken thighs, skin-side down, and cook for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Prepare the Farro. In the same skillet (with the chicken grease left in), add the diced onion and cook for about 5 minutes, until softened.
- Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds to a minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the farro, oregano, salt, and pepper, and cook for about 1 minute to toast the farro slightly.
- Pour in the chicken stock and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Nestle the chicken thighs back into the skillet on top of the farro. Add lemon slices on top if desired for extra lemon flavor.
- Cover the skillet with foil and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the farro is tender, and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F).
- Once cooked, garnish with fresh minced parsley for a burst of color and flavor.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
Tips for Success
- Marinate for Flavor: Marinating the chicken for at least 15 minutes helps infuse it with flavor, but if you have time, letting it sit overnight makes it even better.
- Farro Cooking Tips: If you prefer a softer texture, cook the farro with a bit more chicken stock. It will absorb the flavors and become tender as it bakes.
- One-Pan Cleanup: If using a cast iron skillet, wipe it lightly with paper towels between steps to avoid sticking and burning.
- Customize with Veggies: Add veggies like bell peppers or zucchini to the farro for extra flavor and nutrients.
If you’re ready to make this delicious One Pan Lemon Chicken Thighs and Farro, give it a try and let us know how it turned out! Share your photos and tag us on social media we’d love to see your creations! Don’t forget to pin this recipe for later, so you can easily make it again for another easy, tasty weeknight meal.
This creamy chicken noodle soup is full of flavor, with tender chicken, hearty vegetables, and a rich, velvety broth. A perfect dish for chilly nights or whenever you need a little comfort.