AARP Hearing Center
Leaving AARP.org Website
You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.
BrandAmp by AARP provides the opportunity for our highly vetted marketing partners to share their expert knowledge, insights and storytelling with loyal and engaged readers like you. Each piece of paid content is created in collaboration with the disclosed advertiser and AARP Media Sales’ content development team.
BrandAmp by AARP content is designed to uphold AARP standards of excellence and inspire conversation. Only advertisers who have gone through the strictest reviews are cleared to bring their message directly to members using all of AARP media properties (AARP.org, social media, email newsletters and our print publications). Our pledge to members is work with brands whose products and services are of value to the 50+ audience; and are committed to the type of compelling, informative, entertaining and useful content members are accustomed to seeing within AARP media properties.
You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply.
When I ran a version of this recipe on Giadzy, the response was through the roof, with commenters noting they especially loved the one-pot convenience of it all. I decided to revisit it, pumping up the Italian flavors even more for a dish that has a different taste in every bite. While the inspiration recipe called for boneless, skinless chicken thighs, here I’m using whole, bone-in thighs because they stay nice and moist and get that gorgeous crispy skin. If you prefer to use boneless thighs or even chicken breasts, be my guest, but take care not to overcook them. —Giada De Laurentiis
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 meaty, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 large shallot, chopped
1 cup orzo
1 (7-ounce) jar oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped
½ cup halved artichoke hearts (canned, jarred, or frozen)
½ cup pitted black olives, such as kalamata
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (1 large lemon)
3 cups baby spinach or baby kale
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350℉.
In a Dutch oven or ovenproof skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken thighs all over with 1 teaspoon of the salt and place skin side down in the pan. Cook until the skin is golden brown and the chicken releases easily from the pan, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
In the same pan, cook the shallot in the rendered fat until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add the orzo and cook, stirring until the orzo is slightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Add the sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, olives, oregano, broth, lemon juice and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and stir to combine. Nestle the chicken thighs, along with any juices, back into the pan skin side up so they are about half submerged.
Transfer the pan to the oven and bake uncovered until the orzo is tender and the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Turn off the oven.
Stir the spinach into the hot pasta and return the pan to the still-warm oven, uncovered, until the greens have wilted, 3 or 4 minutes. Serve directly from the pan.
Excerpted from Super-Italian by Giada De Laurentiis. Copyright © 2025 by Giada De Laurentiis. Used by permission of Rodale Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, New York. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
You Might Also Like
Giada De Laurentiis’ Green Gazpacho Recipe
Excerpted from ‘Super-Italian’ by Giada De Laurentiis
Giada De Laurentiis Loves Italian Superfoods
'Super-Italian' serves up healthier recipes that don't skimp on bold flavors
Giada De Laurentiis’ Ziti with Pesto Recipe
Excerpted from ‘Super-Italian’ by Giada De Laurentiis