Description

This Grilled Chicken Orzo Salad is a refreshing and hearty dish perfect for summer. Loaded with juicy grilled chicken, creamy avocado, tangy feta, and orzo pasta, it’s tossed in a zesty citrus vinaigrette. Serve it warm or cold—ideal for meal prep, picnics, and quick dinners!

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad:

1 cup uncooked orzo
2 grilled chicken breasts, sliced
1 ripe avocado, diced
½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
⅓ cup feta cheese, crumbled
¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
1 tbsp olive oil (for grilling chicken)
Salt and pepper to taste

For the Dressing:

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tsp honey or maple syrup
1 garlic clove, finely minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook Orzo: Boil salted water and cook orzo according to package instructions (8–10 minutes). Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
Grill Chicken: Season chicken with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill over medium heat for 5–6 minutes per side or until fully cooked. Let rest, then slice.
Make Dressing: Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, combine orzo, grilled chicken, avocado, tomatoes, onion, feta, and herbs. Pour over the dressing and gently toss to combine.
Chill (optional): Refrigerate for 20–30 minutes for enhanced flavor or serve immediately.

Notes

Rinse orzo with cold water to prevent sticking and clumping.
Add avocado just before serving to maintain freshness.
Use leftover grilled chicken or rotisserie for convenience.
Try different herbs like basil or mint for variety.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Grilled
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 450
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 290mg
Fat: 26g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Unsaturated Fat: 18g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 70mg

Keywords: Grilled Chicken Orzo Salad, Chicken Orzo Salad, Orzo Pasta Salad with Chicken, Avocado Orzo Salad, Summer Salad with Chicken