Description
A light, fresh, and easy grilled chicken orzo salad bursting with flavor. Perfect for weeknight dinners, potlucks, or a satisfying lunch. Features juicy grilled chicken, tender orzo, creamy avocado, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and a bright lemon-Dijon dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for dressing and chicken
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 English cucumber, diced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 ripe avocados, diced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped (optional)
- For the Dressing:
- ⅓ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1. Prepare the chicken: Pat dry, drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper.
- 2. Grill the chicken: Preheat grill to medium-high. Grill 6-8 minutes per side until 165°F. Rest for 5-10 minutes, then dice.
- 3. Cook the orzo: Boil orzo in salted water until al dente. Drain, rinse with cold water, and toss with a little olive oil.
- 4. Prepare the vegetables: Halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber, thinly slice red onion, chop parsley and mint.
- 5. Make the dressing: Whisk together extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, honey/maple syrup (if using), salt, and pepper.
- 6. Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine cooked orzo, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and diced chicken.
- 7. Add avocado: Gently fold in the diced avocados.
- 8. Dress and toss: Pour about half the dressing over the salad and toss gently. Add more dressing to taste.
- 9. Add herbs: Stir in chopped parsley and mint.
- 10. Serve: Serve immediately or chill for 30 minutes.
Notes
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Best served chilled or at room temperature. Reheating is not recommended.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: Approx. 450-550 (varies based on ingredient amounts)
- Sugar: Approx. 5-7g
- Sodium: Approx. 300-500mg (varies based on added salt)
- Fat: Approx. 25-35g
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 30-40g
- Fiber: Approx. 6-8g
- Protein: Approx. 30-35g