Chicken orzo salad makes a light and fresh meal. Filled with rotisserie chicken, vegetables, orzo and topped with a lemon vinaigrette dressing.

Chicken Orzo Salad

The weather is warming up and the flowers are starting to bloom. Spring time is just around the corner. Woohoo – bring on the sun!

Thinking about breaking out my warm weather clothing and eventually swim suit, makes me want to start eating a little lighter. I can’t hide behind my big sweaters any more. 🙂 This orzo salad is packed with fresh vegetables, chicken, orzo and a tasty lemon vinaigrette – not to bad on the waistline.

This is a satisfying meal on it’s own but is you left the chicken out, it also makes a wonderful side dish. The recipe calls for rotisserie chicken because it is just so darn easy but during the summer I like making this salad with grilled chicken or even shrimp.

This salad is really simple to put together. The hardest part is chopping the vegetables. I like to cut my veggies on the smaller side since the orzo is so small. A little crumbled goat or feta cheese also makes a delicious addition to this salad.

For the lemon vinaigrette, simply add white vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper to a bowl. Whisk it up until all of the ingredients are combined. Drizzle it over the salad and toss to coat.

Lately I have been trying to do more meal planning and packing lunches for my husband. I like making a big batch of this salad at the beginning of the week. It makes enough for my husband and I to have it for several lunches. Keep the vinaigrette in a separate container and pour on when ready to eat the salad. Another great option for salad on the go is this mason jar pasta salad.

If you have a sweet tooth like me, be sure to try a slice of this apricot nectar cake or yum yum pie for dessert. Enjoy!

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Chicken Orzo Salad

This healthy, fresh, and light chicken orzo salad makes the perfect lunch or dinner, especially when the weather is warming up outside!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 12 minutes

Total Time 17 minutes

Servings 6 people

Ingredients

• 1 1/2` cup cooked orzo
• 2-3 cup rotisserie chicken chopped
• 1 cup arugula
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper chopped
• 1/4 cup red onion diced
• 1 cup English cucumber chopped
• 1/4 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp pepper

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package. Drain.
   

2. Combine pasta, chicken, pepper, cucumber, onion, arugula and tomatoes.

3. In a small bowl combine vinegar, oil, mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Stir with a whisk.

4. Pour vinaigrette over salad and toss to coat.

Heather shares easy family recipes on her blog, Food Lovin’ Family.

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