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Why I Love This Recipe
- Quick – This Orzo Pasta Salad is ready to serve in just 20 minutes! Nothing beats 30-Minute Meals in the summer!
- Versatile – Since it has cooked chicken, I like to enjoy it as a light lunch or dinner with a side salad or slice of artisan bread, but it compliments practically any main dish so I often take it to BBQ’s and potlucks. I also love to omit the chicken and serve it with baked salmon or grilled shrimp.
- Fun Flavors: I’m obsessed with the unique flavor combinations in this Mediterranean orzo salad (the fresh tarragon is the star, so don’t skip it!). This is my favorite recipe for meal prep lunches.
How to Make Orzo Pasta Salad
Cook Pasta and Make Dressing: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain well and set aside to cool. Stir dressing ingredients together in a bowl.
Pour Dressing over cooled orzo pasta and stir to combine.
Combine: Add remaining ingredients to the salad bowl.
Serve: Toss salad to combine and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Serve this Mediterranean Orzo Salad with my Burrata salad, or Artisan No Knead Bread.
Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions
To Make Ahead: You can make this Orzo Salad 1-2 days in advance, although I recommend waiting to add the dressing until just before serving.
To Store: Leftovers can be stored for for a few days in the refrigerator. I love to meal prep this salad for easy lunch during the week.
Recipe Variations
- Tarragon Substitute: White wine vinegar would work as a substitute for tarragon.
- Gluten Free: Substitute your favorite bite-size gluten free pasta.
- Veggies: Feel free to chop up summer veggies from your garden and toss them in! Diced cucumbers and bell peppers would taste delicious.
- Shrimp Orzo Salad: The chicken can be swapped out for cooked shrimp.
- Add-Ins: This orzo pasta salad is perfect to customize to your own preferences, feel free to add in chickpeas or sprinkle this orzo salad with feta cheese before serving.
More Salad Recipes:
- Ambrosia Salad
- Thai Quinoa Salad
- Lentil Salad
- Burrata Salad
- Pesto Pasta Salad
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
- Brussels Sprouts Salad
Orzo Pasta Salad
Author: Lauren Allen
Servings: 6 People
Calories: 819
Cost: 10
Prep 10 Mins
Cook 10 Mins
Total 20 Mins
Ingredients
For Orzo Pasta Salad
- 1 lb orzo pasta
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 14 oz artichoke hearts, canned, drained and chopped
- 2/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped
- 2/3 cup dried Craisins
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons capers
- 3 cups cooked chicken, chopped
For Dressing
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup tarragon vinegar*
- 3 Tablespoons fresh tarragon , chopped
- 1 ½ Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 ½ Tablespoons dijon mustard
Instructions
Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain well and set aside to cool.
Combine dressing ingredients in a bowl and stir well to combine. Pour dressing over cooled orzo pasta and stir to combine.
Add remaining ingredients and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Notes
To Make Ahead: You can make this Orzo Salad 1-2 days in advance, although I recommend waiting to add the dressing until just before serving.
To Store: Leftovers can be stored for for a few days in the refrigerator. I love to meal prep this salad for easy lunch during the week.
Tarragon Substitute: White wine vinegar would work as a substitute for tarragon.
Gluten Free: Substitute your favorite bite-size gluten free pasta.
Veggies: Feel free to chop up summer veggies from your garden and toss them in! Diced cucumbers and bell peppers would taste delicious.
Shrimp Orzo Salad: The chicken can be swapped out for cooked shrimp.
Add-Ins: This simple orzo salad is perfect to customize to your own preferences, feel free to add in chickpeas or feta cheese.
Nutrition
Calories: 819kcal
Carbohydrates: 75g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 45g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g
Monounsaturated Fat: 30g
Cholesterol: 53mg
Sodium: 641mg
Potassium: 567mg
Fiber: 5g
Sugar: 14g
Vitamin A: 483IU
Vitamin C: 15mg
Calcium: 83mg
Iron: 4mg
This article was originally published on tastesbetterfromscratch.com. Follow on Instagram.
