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Grilled Chicken Orzo Salad

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A vibrant and refreshing summer salad featuring grilled chicken, fluffy orzo, creamy avocado, and cherry tomatoes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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
  • 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

Instructions

  1. Cook the Orzo: Begin by boiling a large pot of salted water. Once it’s boiling, add your orzo and cook according to the package directions—usually, around 7-9 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
  2. Grill the Chicken: While the orzo cooks, prep the chicken. Rub each breast with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Preheat your grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the chicken for about 5-7 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Let your chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  3. Chop the Veggies: Prepare your salad ingredients. Dice the avocado, halve the cherry tomatoes, slice the red onion, and chop the fresh herbs.
  4. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey or maple syrup, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  5. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo, grilled chicken, diced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta, sliced red onion, and chopped herbs. Drizzle the dressing over the top and gently toss to combine.
  6. Serve It Up: Plate the salad into bowls or plates. Drizzle extra dressing if desired and serve with crusty bread.

Notes

Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge, keeping the dressing separate until serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: salad, summer, grilled chicken, orzo, healthy, quick meal

Find it online: https://mapleladle.com/grilled-chicken-orzo-salad-summer-meal/