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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. 

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 406 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean

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

    Cup of Yum
  1. 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.
  2. Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Measure the feta, green onion, shredded chicken and parsley to the bowl. Toss to combine.
  7. Make the dressing. Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper in a mason jar. Shake vigorously to combine.
  8. Pour the dressing directly on top of the orzo pasta salad, and toss.
  9. 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 Information

Serving 1g Calories 406kcal (20%) Carbohydrates 41g (14%) Protein 19g (38%) Fat 19g (29%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Polyunsaturated Fat 14g Cholesterol 52mg (17%) Sodium 370mg (15%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 3g (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 406

% Daily Value*

Serving 1g
Calories 406kcal 20%
Carbohydrates 41g 14%
Protein 19g 38%
Fat 19g 29%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Polyunsaturated Fat 14g 82%
Cholesterol 52mg 17%
Sodium 370mg 15%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 3g 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.