There’s something about a fresh, vibrant salad that makes me feel like I’ve got my week organised — and this Greek Chicken Orzo Salad has quickly become one of my favourites. It’s the kind of recipe I love making when I want something nutritious but still exciting, with juicy chicken, creamy feta, fresh herbs, and a delicious homemade honey red wine dressing bringing everything together.
I love that it can be prepared ahead of time, making it perfect for easy lunches throughout the week. It’s filling enough to keep you satisfied, but still feels light and fresh thanks to all the colourful Mediterranean-inspired ingredients.
If you love simple recipes that are packed with flavour, you’ll also love my Tuna, Tomato and black olive salad and Goat’s Cheese & Avocado Toast for more easy, wholesome meal ideas.
Why You’ll Love This Greek Chicken Orzo Salad
- A great healthy alternative to traditional pasta salads
- High in protein thanks to tender cooked chicken breast
- Full of fresh Mediterranean flavours
- Perfect for meal prep and packed lunches
- Made with a simple homemade honey red wine dressing
- Ready in around 30 minutes
Greek Chicken Orzo Salad Ingredients
For the Salad
- Dry orzo
- Cooked chicken breast
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cucumber
- Red onion
- Red bell pepper
- Green bell pepper
- Feta cheese
- Fresh parsley
- Fresh dill
For the Honey Red Wine Dressing
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Red wine vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Honey
- Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper
How To Make Greek Chicken Orzo Salad
Cook the Orzo
Start by cooking the orzo according to the packet instructions until tender. Drain well, rinse under cold water, and leave it to cool completely before assembling the salad.
Prepare the Honey Red Wine Dressing
While the orzo cools, prepare the dressing by whisking together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth and combined.
Assemble the Salad
Add the cooled orzo to a large mixing bowl with the cooked chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, red pepper, green pepper, parsley, dill, and crumbled feta.
Pour over the homemade dressing and gently toss everything together until evenly coated.
Chill Before Serving
This salad can be enjoyed straight away, but allowing it to chill in the fridge for 20–30 minutes helps all the flavours develop and makes it even more delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make Greek Chicken Orzo Salad ahead of time?
Yes! This salad is ideal for meal prep and can be made up to 3 days in advance. Keep refrigerated and refresh with extra dressing before serving.
Can I use another type of pasta?
Yes, although orzo gives this salad its classic texture, you can swap it for small pasta shapes such as pearl couscous or macaroni.
Is Greek Chicken Orzo Salad healthy?
This salad contains a great balance of protein, carbohydrates, fresh vegetables, and healthy fats, making it a satisfying and nutritious meal option.
Can I freeze Greek Chicken Orzo Salad?
Freezing is not recommended as the fresh vegetables and feta can change texture once thawed.
Ingredients
- 100 g dry orzo
- 200 g cooked chicken breast diced or shredded
- 100 g cherry tomatoes halved
- 100 g cucumber diced
- ¼ small red onion thinly sliced
- ½ red bell pepper diced
- ½ green bell pepper diced
- 40 g feta cheese crumbled
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh dill chopped
Honey Red Wine Dressing
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tsp honey
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the orzo according to the packet instructions. Drain, rinse under cold water, and allow to cool.
- Whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
- Add the cooled orzo, chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, peppers, parsley, dill, and feta to a large bowl.
- Pour over the dressing and toss gently until everything is coated.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for 20–30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- If preparing this salad ahead of time, keep a small amount of dressing aside and stir it through before serving. The orzo will absorb some of the dressing while chilling, so adding a little extra before eating will bring the salad back to life.
Nutrition
Recipe Tips
- Use leftover chicken -This recipe is a great way to use leftover roast chicken or pre-cooked chicken breast for a quick and easy meal.
- Let the orzo cool fully – Cooling the orzo before mixing prevents the vegetables, herbs, and feta from becoming soft.
- Add extra Mediterranean flavours -For even more flavour, you could add ingredients like olives, roasted peppers, or a sprinkle of oregano.
- Make it vegetarian -mSimply remove the chicken and add chickpeas or extra feta for a delicious vegetarian version.
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