A Refreshing Mediterranean-Inspired Chicken Orzo Salad
This Warm Orzo Salad with Chicken is a bright and flavorful dish perfect for a light lunch or summer dinner. Tender chicken breast is sautéed until golden and tossed with orzo, fresh herbs, juicy grape tomatoes, and baby arugula. The real star? A zesty lemon-olive oil dressing that ties it all together. Whether you’re serving it warm or at room temp, it’s a fresh and satisfying option you’ll come back to again and again. Want to switch it up? Try it with shrimp or toss in a handful of dried cranberries for a sweet-tart twist. This recipe is courtesy of the Food Nannie.
Ingredients
For the Dressing:
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
¾ teaspoon salt
Fresh ground black pepper, to taste
For the Pasta:
¾ cup orzo pasta, cooked according to package directions
For the Chicken:
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons unsalted butter
For the Salad:
3 tablespoons shallot or red onion, chopped
3 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
6 grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
½ cup pine nuts or toasted almonds (optional)
1½ cups baby arugula
Instructions
1
Whisk the Dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Set aside.
2
Cook the Orzo:
Boil the orzo according to package directions. Drain and keep warm.
3
Sauté the Chicken:
Pat chicken dry with a damp paper towel and chop into bite-sized pieces. In a skillet over medium heat, sauté chicken in olive oil and butter until cooked through, about 4 minutes. Set aside and keep warm.
4
Assemble the Salad:
In a large bowl, combine warm orzo, shallot, dill, parsley, tomatoes, feta, and nuts (if using). Add in the sautéed chicken and arugula.
5
Toss and Serve
: Pour dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine. Serve immediately with warm naan or crusty French bread.
Tags:
#ChickenSaladRecipe#EasyDinner#FreshAndHealthy#MediterraneanEats#OrzoSalad#QuickMeals#SaladSeasonCookingwithchefbryan
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