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Greek Chicken Orzo Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 776 reviews

A vibrant Greek Chicken Orzo Salad combining tender grilled chicken, al dente orzo, fresh vegetables, herbs, and a flavorful homemade dressing. Perfect served warm or cold, this Mediterranean-inspired dish offers a delightful balance of tangy, savory, and fresh flavors, enhanced by creamy feta and briny olives.

Ingredients

Scale

Dressing

  • 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 shallot, chopped
  • 1/2 cup chopped herbs (dill, basil, oregano, and/or thyme)
  • Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Chicken

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken tenders (omit if vegetarian)
  • 1/3 cup basil pesto
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

Salad

  • 1 pound dry orzo
  • 2 cups cubed feta cheese
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2–3 Persian cucumbers, chopped
  • 1 cup pitted kalamata olives
  • 2 roasted bell peppers, sliced
  • 1/4 cup chopped pepperoncini

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dressing: In a large salad bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, chopped shallot, chopped herbs, kosher salt, and black pepper until well combined.
  2. Marinate and Cook the Chicken: Toss the chicken tenders with basil pesto and balsamic vinegar to coat evenly. Heat a grill, grill pan, or skillet over medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for 8-10 minutes until fully cooked and no longer pink in the center. Remove from heat and chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Cook the Orzo: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dry orzo and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly.
  4. Assemble the Salad: While the orzo is still warm, add it to the bowl containing the dressing and toss thoroughly to coat.
  5. Add Remaining Ingredients: Add the chopped grilled chicken, cubed feta cheese, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped Persian cucumbers, pitted kalamata olives, sliced roasted bell peppers, and chopped pepperoncini to the bowl. Toss all ingredients together gently but thoroughly.
  6. Serve: Serve the salad either warm or chilled. Note that the flavors will develop and deepen if the salad is allowed to sit for some time before serving.

Notes

  • The salad can be served warm or cold, making it versatile for different occasions.
  • Omitting the chicken makes this a vegetarian-friendly dish.
  • Adjust herbs according to your preference for freshness and flavor.
  • The salad keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, and flavors improve after resting.
  • Use good quality herb pesto and roasted peppers for maximum taste impact.

Keywords: Greek chicken salad, orzo salad, Mediterranean salad, grilled chicken, feta cheese salad, healthy chicken salad

Find it online: https://cookcrisis.com/greek-chicken-orzo-salad-recipe/