Description
Mediterranean-inspired lemon orzo salad with chicken delivers fresh, zesty flavors perfect for summer dining. Mediterranean herbs and grilled chicken create a light, refreshing meal you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked/rotisserie chicken, shredded
- ½ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 2 mini cucumbers (or ½ English cucumber), chopped
- 1 cup little tomatoes (grape/cherry/etc.), cut into quarters
- 2 tablespoons red onion, chopped
- 2 cups (loosely packed) fresh arugula, optional
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, sliced thin
- 1.5 tbsps (22.5 ml) lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2.5 tbsps (37.5 ml) olive oil
- 1 tsp (5 ml) honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Orzo Preparation: Boil salted water and cook orzo until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water, then spread in a large bowl to cool completely.
- Ingredient Breakdown: Dice cucumbers into uniform cubes, halve cherry tomatoes, mince red onion, shred chicken, grate parmesan, and tear basil leaves with precision.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper until smooth and fully incorporated, creating a bright, zesty emulsion.
- Salad Assembly: Gently fold all prepared ingredients into cooled orzo, ensuring even distribution. Drizzle dressing over the mixture, carefully coating each component with the vibrant flavor profile.
- Final Touches: Allow salad to rest for 10-15 minutes to meld flavors. Moments before serving, gently fold in arugula leaves. Perform a final taste check, adjusting seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice to elevate the overall taste experience.
Notes
- Pasta Perfection: Cook orzo exactly to package instructions and rinse with cold water to prevent overcooking, ensuring a tender yet firm texture.
- Ingredient Prep Precision: Chop vegetables uniformly for consistent bite and visual appeal, creating a balanced and professional-looking salad.
- Dressing Magic: Whisk dressing ingredients thoroughly until fully emulsified, which helps blend flavors and creates a smooth, cohesive coating for the salad.
- Flavor Fusion: Let salad rest briefly at room temperature to allow ingredients to meld together, enhancing overall taste and allowing dressing to absorb into pasta and vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg