Description
This Greek Chicken Orzo Salad is a vibrant, healthy, and hearty dish packed with Mediterranean flavors. Featuring marinated chicken, fresh vegetables, orzo pasta, and a lemony dressing, this salad is perfect for lunch or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- Orzo Pasta:
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- Chicken:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- Salad Mix:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 English cucumber, diced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Cook Orzo:
Cook the orzo pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside to cool. - Prepare Chicken:
Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, oregano, and thyme. - Cook Chicken:
In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until golden brown and thoroughly cooked, around 6-7 minutes per side. Remove chicken from the skillet and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing into strips. - Mix Salad Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo, sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese. - Prepare Dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, parsley, dill, garlic, and extra-virgin olive oil. - Dress Salad:
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat everything evenly. Season with additional salt and black pepper if needed. - Serve:
Serve the salad immediately or chill it in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.
Notes
- To add extra flavor, marinate the chicken with lemon juice, oregano, and garlic before cooking.
- Substitute quinoa or couscous for orzo for a gluten-free option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g