Description
Balsamic Mediterranean Orzo and Chicken Salad is your new go-to dish for summer gatherings, picnics, or a refreshing lunch. This vibrant salad features tender chicken, colorful vegetables, and flavorful orzo pasta, all tossed together with a homemade balsamic dressing that packs a punch. It’s not only easy to prepare but also adaptable, allowing you to customize it with seasonal veggies or your favorite proteins. Perfect for meal prep, this salad can be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, making it ideal for busy weekdays or leisurely weekends. Give it a try and impress your family and friends with this deliciously healthy dish!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.25 lb chicken tenders
- 1 lb orzo pasta
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 3 cucumbers
- 1 cup Kalamata olives
- 2 bell peppers
- 2.5 cups feta cheese
- 1/3 cup basil pesto
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup red apple vinegar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 shallot
- 1/2 cup fresh herbs
- salt
- black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup pepperoncini
Instructions
- Cook the orzo in salted boiling water until al dente; drain and rinse.
- Season chicken tenders with salt and pepper; cook in olive oil until golden brown. Let cool and slice.
- For the dressing, whisk together olive oil, red apple vinegar, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, minced shallot, fresh herbs, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- In a large bowl, combine cooked orzo, sliced chicken, basil pesto, feta cheese, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumbers, sliced Kalamata olives, chopped bell peppers, and pepperoncini.
- Toss with the dressing until well coated. Serve immediately or refrigerate to let flavors meld.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Boiling, Sautéing, Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of salad (approx. 300g)
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 650mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 90mg