Indulge in a delightful culinary journey with our versatile orzo salad, where succulent shredded chicken, roasted tomatoes, and vibrant broccoli harmonize in a symphony of flavors. This flavorful salad boasts a medley of textures, from the tender chicken and crisp broccoli to the juicy tomatoes and al dente orzo. Tossed in a tangy and aromatic dressing, this dish promises a burst of freshness in every bite. With variations including a creamy avocado dressing and a tangy lemon-herb vinaigrette, this orzo salad adapts effortlessly to your taste preferences. Discover the culinary magic of this versatile dish and elevate your meals with a delightful symphony of flavors.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI ORZO
This Chicken and Broccoli Orzo is a super quick 20-minute dinner recipe that's creamy, a little bit cheesy, and totally satisfying.
Provided by Tracy
Categories Dinner
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Bring a medium pot of lightly salted water to a boil and cook orzo according to package instructions. In the last 3 minutes of cooking time, add broccoli. When timer goes off, use a slotted spoon to remove broccoli and transfer to a plate. Drain the orzo and set aside.
- In a large skillet, melt butter. Add garlic and cook until golden, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add drained pasta, cream, and Parmesan cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in chicken and then gently fold in broccoli.
- Serve, top with more Parmesan cheese if desired, and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 677 kcal, ServingSize 1 serving
CHICKEN ORZO SALAD
This chicken orzo salad comes together in under 30 minutes and is made with juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, a tangy lemon vinaigrette, and more!
Provided by Averie Sunshine
Categories Sides, Salads & Vegetables
Time 25m
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Cook orzo according to package directions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl; set aside.
- To a large skillet, add 2 tablespoons olive oil, chicken, evenly season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and cook over medium-high heat for about 5 to 6 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and lightly golden browned. Stir and flip intermittently to ensure all sides cook evenly. I used thin-sliced chicken breasts which cook quickly. Cooking time will vary based on thickness of chicken. Transfer the chicken and cooking juices to the bowl with the orzo.
- Add the tomatoes, cucumbers, green onions, parsley, basil, and stir to combine; set aside.
- To a small bowl, add 3 tablespoons olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, honey, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and whisk to combine. Taste vinaigrette and check for seasoning balance; add more salt, honey, lemon juice, etc. to taste.
- Evenly drizzle the vinaigrette over the orzo bowl, stir to coat evenly, and either serve immediately or cover with plasticwrap and refrigerate before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 480 calories, Carbohydrate 42 grams carbohydrates, Cholesterol 96 milligrams cholesterol, Fat 16 grams fat, Fiber 4 grams fiber, Protein 41 grams protein, SaturatedFat 3 grams saturated fat, ServingSize 1, Sodium 621 milligrams sodium, Sugar 13 grams sugar, TransFat 0 grams trans fat, UnsaturatedFat 12 grams unsaturated fat
MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD
You'll love this easy orzo salad loaded with chopped veggies, fresh herbs and other Mediterranean favorites. Tossed in a bold lemony dressing. For the best flavor, dress the Mediterranean orzo salad while the orzo is still a little warm. Pasta that hasn't cooled completely will drink up the dressing really well. And allow the salad to sit for at least a few minutes (or up to an hour in the fridge) for the flavors to meld before serving.
Provided by Suzy Karadsheh
Categories Salad
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cook the orzo pasta according package instructions (mine took about 8 minutes). Drain and cool briefly.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the grape tomatoes, green onions, bell peppers, parsley, dill, olives and capers (hold the feta for now). Add the orzo pasta.
- Make the dressing. In a small bowl, combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, oregano and a good pinch of kosher salt and black pepper. Whisk to combine.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until well combined and the orzo pasta is well coated with the dressing.
- Top with pieces of creamy feta cheese. Cover and refrigerate for a bit before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 111.1 kcal, Carbohydrate 6.9 g, Protein 1.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.4 g, Cholesterol 0.4 mg, Sodium 39.4 mg, Fiber 2.3 g, ServingSize 1 serving
MEDITERRANEAN ORZO CHICKEN SALAD
Steps:
- Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta; rinse with cold water and drain well., In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, tomatoes, cheese, olives and onion. In a small bowl, whisk remaining ingredients until blended. Drizzle over salad; toss to coat.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 397 calories, Fat 16g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 47mg cholesterol, Sodium 407mg sodium, Carbohydrate 40g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 10g fiber), Protein 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges
CHICKEN AND ORZO SKILLET
Here's a perfect one-skillet supper that's colorful, healthy, filling and definitely special! Our taste testers loved the blend of spices, the touch of heat and the sophisticated flavor. -Kellie Mulleavy, Lambertville, Michigan
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 35m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Sprinkle chicken with garlic seasoning blend. In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, saute chicken and onion in oil until chicken is no longer pink, 5-6 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer., Stir in the tomatoes, spinach, broth, orzo, Italian seasoning and, if desired, pepper flakes. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cover and simmer until orzo is tender and liquid is absorbed, 15-20 minutes. If desired, sprinkle with cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 339 calories, Fat 7g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 63mg cholesterol, Sodium 384mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 5g fiber), Protein 32g protein. Diabetic exchanges
ORZO SALAD WITH PEPPERS AND FETA
Piperade, a classic Basque dish of stewed peppers, onions and tomatoes, becomes a flavorful sauce for this pasta. Colorful bell peppers simmer in olive oil and aromatics until meltingly soft, and juicy tomatoes simmer alongside until they burst, lending both tangy and sweet notes. Briny feta adds salty bites to complement the sweet pepper sauce, but tart aged goat cheese makes a good alternative. This side is even better at room temperature, making it the perfect make-ahead dish for summer picnics or potlucks.
Provided by Kay Chun
Categories dinner, easy, lunch, pastas, salads and dressings, main course, side dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings (about 10 cups)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cook orzo in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta, pressing out excess liquid. Spread out on a baking sheet to cool.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium. Add onion, bell peppers and thyme, and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes. Stir in garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add tomato and cook, stirring occasionally, until broken down and juices release, about 8 minutes.
- Add the reserved pasta water and stir to scrape up any browned bits at the bottom of the skillet. Transfer vegetable mixture to a large bowl to cool slightly to lukewarm, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to speed up the cooling process. Discard thyme sprig.
- Add cooled orzo, lemon juice, basil and cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix well, then transfer to a large serving bowl or platter. Garnish with more basil.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh, flavorful ingredients will make all the difference in your orzo salad. Look for ripe tomatoes, tender broccoli, and juicy chicken.
- Roast the tomatoes: Roasting the tomatoes intensifies their flavor and sweetness. You can roast them in the oven or on the grill.
- Shred the chicken: You can use leftover chicken or cook chicken specifically for this salad. Shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook the orzo al dente: Orzo is a small pasta that cooks quickly. Be sure to cook it al dente, so that it still has a slight bite to it.
- Use a flavorful dressing: The dressing is what brings all the flavors of the salad together. Use a dressing that is light and flavorful, such as a vinaigrette or a pesto dressing.
- Add some fresh herbs: Fresh herbs, such as basil, parsley, or cilantro, can add a pop of flavor to your salad.
- Serve immediately: Orzo salad is best served immediately after it is made. The orzo will start to absorb the dressing and become mushy if it sits for too long.
Conclusion:
Orzo salad with shredded chicken, roasted tomatoes, and broccoli is a delicious and refreshing salad that is perfect for summer gatherings. It is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With its bright flavors and colorful ingredients, this salad is sure to be a hit at your next party or potluck.
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