Easy Chicken Orzo Salad

This Easy Chicken Orzo Salad is a healthy idea for a summer meal.
I like that it contains everything tasty all in one bowl.
 

Easy Chicken Orzo Salad

 
I say 'easy' because all you really need to do to make it is place your ingredients into one bowl.
Then you simply serve the bowls, thus, this is really an easy one.
 

I also like that there is a 'cheat' involved in this recipe.
I will touch on that 'cheat' in a moment. However, it will go a long way to making this recipe an even easier one for you to make.

 

This recipe is based upon another Easy Chicken Orzo recipe.

That recipe is compliant with the Mediterranean diet. You can see that easy chicken orzo recipe for the Mediterranean diet here (foodwineandlove.com).

If you are familiar with the Mediterranean Diet then you know that this is the recommended diet for so many people.
Based upon the Mediterranean are of the world, this diet features fresh fruits and vegetables, along with pasta and grains, from that area. Researchers believe that this diet can help you live longer and healthier.
 

I should also mention that this dish can certainly be served in different ways.

My first intention for this delicious orzo salad would be to serve it as a main dish for dinner.
It really is tasty enough to do so and it also covers the grain, vegetable, and protein that a dinner meal usually requires for many of us.

However, you could also serve this orzo and chicken salad in other ways as well.
By that I mean you could omit the chicken and serve this salad as an appetizer surrounding a baked chicken breast or some baked tofu.
Also, I could also see enjoying the leftovers of this chicken and orzo salad on the next day for lunch.

Orzo really is an interesting kind of a pasta.

While orzo technically is a barley pasta, it also can be used as a rice substitute.
Orzo really does resemble rice in a lot of ways that are enough to use it as a substitute.

As far as being a pasta goes, orzo resembles few of the other pastas.
Obviously, orzo is not long and flimsy like a noodle or similar kind of pasta.
Orzo is also smaller and shaped differently than the other kinds of pastas such as macaroni and ziti.

What you should know about Orzo is that it is usually made with white flour.

However, whole wheat flour is what is recommended on the Mediterranean Diet.
Thus, if you are a follower of the Mediterranean Diet, you should look for an orzo that is made with wheat flour.

Finding a wheat flour orzo is not that hard to do, thankfully for many of us.

Feel free to alternate your own ingredients for the ones that are suggested in this salad recipe.

Not everyone is interested in following the Mediterranean diet. However, you can also alter the ingredients to fit other diets, such as the low carbohydrate ones, as well.
 

Here are some similar recipes that you may also like.

 

• Low Carb Almond Crusted Chicken.
• Sheet Pan Lemon Chicken (low carb).
• Vegan Detox LEttuce WRaps.

 

Keep up to date with my recipes

 

You can check out my guide on baking with sugar alternatives on Amazon
 

I have some great tips on which alternatives may work in a recipe such as this one.

Be sure to follow me on facebook and subscribe to my recipes via email to keep up to date as well.

 

Chicken Orzo Salad

What you will need to make this recipe.

As mentioned, you will need orzo for this recipe. However, Orzo is that it is usually made with white flour. if you are following the Mediterranean Diet, you will need a wheat flour orzo, which you can easily find online. .

You will also need chicken for this recipe.
I suggest using a precooked chicken breast such as chicken strips or chunks. However, even better would be to use leftover chicken breast or a rotisserie chicken from the local grocery store.

Ingredients needed for this recipe for chicken orzo salad.

• Wheat Flour Orzo - 1 cup uncooked.
• Lemon Juice- 2 teaspoons.
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil- 1-2 tablespoons or as needed.
• Chicken- 1 cup, precooked, in chunks, strips, or shredded.
• Cherry Tomatoes- 4-5, sliced in half.
• Feta Cheese- ¼- ⅓ cup crumbled.
• Red Peppers- 2 tablespoons chopped.
• Chopped Sweet Onions- 1-2 tablespoons.
• Chopped Oregano or basil- 1 tablespoon.
• Optional- chopped olives as well as seasonings such as salt and pepper as needed.

How to make this Easy Chicken and Orzo Salad

.

• Cook your orzo as directed on the package. Tip: use a chicken broth or bullion cube added to the water for additional taste. Drain the pasta when done and allow to cool.
• In a small bowl or container, make the dressing by whisking together the olive oil and lemon juice. You can add salt and pepper as desired to this mixture. Set this aside as you assemble your salad.
• Now in a larger bowl, combine together the cooked orzo and the chicken. Then add the tomatoes, cheese, red peppers, and sweet onions.
• Drizzle the dressing from the first step and toss. Add additional olive oil to coat the ingredients if needed.
• Top the salad with the chopped oregano and any optional additional ingredients as desired.

The Recipe Card for Easy Chicken Orzo Salad

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Make this delicious and Easy Chicken Orzo Salad for a healthy lunch or dinner featuring mouth watering vegetables and chicken.