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Lemon Chicken Orzo Salad


  • Total Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This Lemon Chicken Orzo Salad is a quick, fresh, and satisfying meal perfect for weeknights. It features tender chicken and orzo pasta in a vibrant lemon and herb dressing, making it a healthy and flavorful option that’s easy to prepare and great for meal prep.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil, plus more for dressing
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup orzo pasta
  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 23 lemons)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
  • 1/4 cup finely diced red onion
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional, for serving)

  • Instructions

    1. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Slice each chicken breast horizontally to create two thinner cutlets. Season both sides generously with 1 tablespoon olive oil, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

    2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken. Cook for 4-6 minutes per side, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through with an internal temperature of 165 F (74 C). Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board for 5 minutes before dicing into bite-sized pieces.

    3. While the chicken rests, bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo pasta and cook according to package directions, usually 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Drain the orzo thoroughly and rinse it briefly under cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent it from sticking together.

    4. In a large bowl, whisk together the fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, chopped fresh parsley, chopped fresh dill, and a pinch more salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

    5. Add the cooked and drained orzo, diced chicken, finely diced red onion, and halved cherry tomatoes to the bowl with the lemon dressing.

    6. Gently toss all the ingredients together until everything is well combined and coated in the dressing. Serve immediately, or chill for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld. If desired, sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese just before serving.

    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
    • Category: main dish
    • Method: salad
    • Cuisine: mediterranean

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe

    Keywords: chicken, orzo, lemon, salad, mediterranean, healthy, quick, easy, weeknight, meal prep