Orzo Pasta Salad
Meet the ultimate summer side dish: Orzo Pasta Salad. This bright, fresh and lemony pasta salad works as an easy dish to bring to a potluck or serve at a cookout, but you could also enjoy it as a whole meal because it includes chicken.
Servings 6 servings
Calories 406kcal
Ingredients
Pasta Salad
- 16 oz. orzo pasta
- 1 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ red onion medium-sized, diced (about 1 ½ cups when diced)
- ½ cup grape tomatoes
- 2 ½ cups spinach
- ¼ cup feta cheese
- 1 green onion diced
- 8 oz. shredded rotisserie chicken
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Lemon Vinaigrette
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon about 1 tablespoon
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the orzo to packaging instructions. (Ours cooked for 9 minutes.) Drain in a colander and place in a bowl. Drizzle with a little olive oil.
- Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the red onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from the skillet and place in the bowl with the orzo.
- Add the grape tomatoes to the skillet. Turn up the heat to medium-high and cook until the skins of the tomatoes are blistered, about 5-8 minutes. Remove from the skillet and place in the bowl with the orzo and red onion.
- Add the spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, 1-2 minutes. Remove from the skillet and place in the bowl with the other ingredients.
- Measure the feta, green onion, shredded chicken and parsley to the bowl. Toss to combine.
- Make the dressing. Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper in a mason jar. Shake vigorously to combine.
- Pour the dressing directly on top of the orzo pasta salad, and toss.
- Serve immediately and garnish with additional parsley and chopped green onion.
Notes
How to store: You can store this pasta salad in a food-safe, airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
I do not recommend reheating it — it’s best served right after making it when the orzo is a little warm OR cold, straight from the fridge.
Please note that the serving size will change if you're serving this as a meal, as opposed to a side dish.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 406kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 370mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g
