Grilled Chicken Orzo Salad Recipe
A refreshing and wholesome Grilled Chicken Orzo Salad featuring tender grilled chicken, creamy avocado, and a zesty homemade dressing, perfect for a nutritious lunch or light dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked orzo
- 2 grilled chicken breasts, sliced
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ⅓ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for grilling chicken)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 garlic clove, finely minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook Orzo: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo for 8 to 10 minutes according to package instructions until tender. Drain the orzo and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process, then set aside to cool.
- Grill Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium heat, then cook the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side or until fully cooked through. Remove from heat and allow to rest before slicing into strips.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until the dressing is fully emulsified and smooth.
- Assemble Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo, sliced grilled chicken, diced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped cilantro or parsley. Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together until evenly coated.
- Chill (Optional): For enhanced flavor, refrigerate the salad for 20 to 30 minutes before serving. Alternatively, serve immediately for a fresh, vibrant dish.
Notes
- You can substitute grilled chicken with rotisserie chicken for a time-saving option.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta and replace honey with maple syrup in the dressing.
- Adding cucumbers or bell peppers can add extra crunch and freshness.
- This salad keeps well refrigerated for up to 2 days, but avocado is best added just before serving to avoid browning.
- Adjust the seasoning and acidity of the dressing to taste.
Keywords: Grilled Chicken Orzo Salad, Mediterranean salad, healthy chicken salad, summer salad, grilled chicken recipe, orzo salad recipe
Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/grilled-chicken-orzo-salad-recipe/
