This Orzo Chicken Salad is so light and so flavorful it is perfect for lunch or a refreshing summer dinner.
This pasta salad takes less than 30 minutes to make. It is fresh, refreshing, and amazingly good to have when you want something that is fresh, tempting, and full of flavor.
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Orzo Chicken salad is so versatile that you can make it with your favorite ingredients and have dinner on the table in no time. Of course, you can make a double batch and have meal prep done for the week as well.
Is orzo pasta or rice? It is actually a pasta. Find out what Masterclass has to say about this versatile ingredient.
If you’re looking for more salad recipes, try these Greek Pasta Salad, Grilled Panzanella Salad, and Summer Spaghetti Salad.
With over 200 easy and delicious dinner ideas, you'll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again.
Why We Love This Chicken Orzo Salad with Goat Cheese Recipe
Fresh is the word of the day for this grilled chicken salad. Make this salad when you want something so light and refreshing.
- 30-Minute Meal: A fabulous main meal or a great side dish.
- Easy Ingredients: All found in pantry or fridge. Even fresh from your garden or farmers market.
- Family Friendly: A large bowl of this salad will be the hit of the season.
- Adaptable: Can make it with an array of fresh vegetables such as fresh herbs and green onions. Use salt and pepper or your favorite seasoning blend to flavor the salad.
- Makes Great Leftovers: Ideal for meal prep or for leftovers for days. Also, use leftover rotisserie chicken for this delicious pasta salad.
Ingredient Notes for this Grilled Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
- Orzo: Cook the orzo according to package directions to al dente.
- Chicken Breast: Chicken that has already been cooked. Even buy pre-chopped chicken.
- Goat Cheese: You can use whatever cheese you enjoy.
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
Variations and Substitutions for Delicious Pasta Chicken Orzo Salad
You can adapt this orzo salad recipe to the ingredients that you wish. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, or sprinkle with fresh olives.
- Ingredient variation: Rotisserie Chicken or pre-cook the chicken to make this recipe quicker and easier.
- Cheese: Feta cheese, cheddar cheese, or even parmesan cheese.
- Vegetables: Cucumbers, spinach, and Avocado are wonderful salad ingredients.
- Fruit: Grapes add a sweet finish to the dish.
How to Make Orzo Chicken Salad with Goat Cheese
If you like, you can make most of the components in advance and just finish when ready to serve.
These are the basic steps for making this chicken & orzo dish. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions and nutritional information.
Step 1: Cook Pasta
First, cook pasta according to the package directions, however, omit the salt and fat. Drain.
Step 2: Combine
Next, combine the pasta, chicken, arugula, grape tomatoes, red bell pepper, red onion, fresh basil and fresh oregano.
Step 3: Vinaigrette
Then whisk together the vinegar, oil, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl, and combine with a whisk. Drizzle mixture over pasta.
Step 4: Toss
Finally, toss well to coat and then sprinkle with cheese. You can serve this tempting salad both warm or cold.
Recipe FAQs for Orzo Salad Recipe with Chicken
Expert Tips for Making This Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe
Tender chicken that you can season the chicken breasts any way you like. For lunch or dinner, this recipe is a winner.
- Add More: More juicy chicken, more vegetables, this great recipe comes together so quickly and easily.
- Add Rice: Use rice instead of orzo if you prefer or even break up spaghetti or a different pasta.
- Short-cut tip: The recipe calls for cooked and cubed chicken but you can use leftover chicken or cooked chicken from the store.
- Variation tip: Add more Mediterranean flavor by making avocado orzo salad or add olives to the dish. On top of the salad add some lemon for a citrus finish.
What to Serve with Orzo Chicken Salad
Orzo Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups Orzo, uncooked
- 3 cups Grilled chicken breast, chopped and cooked
- 1 ½ cups Arugula
- 1 cup Grape tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup Red bell pepper, chopped
- ¼ cup Red onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Fresh basil, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Fresh oregano, chopped
- 2 tablespoons Red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt
- ⅛ teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 ½ ounces Goat cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain well.
- Combine pasta, chicken and the next six ingredients in a large bowl. Toss well
- Combine vinegar, oil, salt and black pepper in a small bowl, and combine with a whisk. Drizzle mixture over pasta.
- Toss well to coat. Sprinkle with cheese. Serve warm or cold.
Expert Tips
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- Add More: More juicy chicken, more vegetables, this great recipe comes together so quickly and easily.
- Add Rice: Use rice instead of orzo if you prefer or even break up spaghetti or a different pasta.
- Short cut tip: The recipe calls for cooked and cubed chicken but you can use leftovers chicken or cooked chicken from the store.
- Variation tip: Add more Mediterranean flavor by making avocado orzo salad or add olives to the dish.
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Estimated Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided are estimates. To learn more about how I calculate this information go to www.itisakeeper.com/about-its-a-keeper/privacy-disclosure-policies/
This recipe is my personal adaption of an ethnic-inspired recipe. It is not intended to be an authentic recipe. I’ve recreated this recipe because I enjoy the flavors and I want to encourage my readers to expand their tastes and try new flavor combinations. The recipe, ingredients, and processes may have been adapted to make the recipe accessible to the average American. I have provided links to authentic versions of the recipe in the post above. I encourage you to visit these pages and learn more about the traditional version(s) of this recipe.