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Greek Lemon Chicken Orzo Salad with cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and feta in a white bowl with lemon slices.
Layla

Greek Lemon Chicken Orzo Salad

Bright, herbaceous, and satisfying - this Mediterranean-inspired salad brings together tender lemony chicken, chewy orzo, and crisp vegetables in a zesty dressing that tastes even better the next day.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: lunch, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Calories: 485

Ingredients
  

For the Chicken
  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs or chicken breast
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp Kosher salt divided
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper freshly ground
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
For the Salad
  • 8 oz orzo about 1.25 cups
  • 1 English cucumber diced, about 2 cups
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 0.5 cup Kalamata olives pitted, halved
  • 0.25 cup red onion finely diced
  • 0.5 cup fresh parsley chopped
  • 4 oz feta cheese crumbled
For the Lemon Dressing
  • 0.25 cup fresh lemon juice about 2 lemons, freshly squeezed
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest from those same lemons
  • 0.25 cup olive oil
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp honey

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Large skillet
  • Small bowl for dressing

Method
 

Cook the Chicken
  1. Pat chicken dry and season all over with oregano, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken in a single layer and cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook 4-5 minutes more until cooked through (165°F internal temperature). Transfer to a cutting board to rest for 5 minutes, then slice or chop into bite-sized pieces.
Cook the Orzo
  1. While chicken cooks, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add orzo and cook according to package directions until al dente, usually 8-10 minutes. Drain and rinse briefly under cool water to stop cooking. Shake well to remove excess water and transfer to a large serving bowl.
Make the Dressing and Prep Vegetables
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, lemon zest, 1/4 cup olive oil, garlic, Dijon mustard, honey, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt until emulsified. Prep your vegetables while the orzo cools slightly - dice cucumber, halve tomatoes, pit and halve olives, and finely dice red onion.
Assemble the Salad
  1. Add the warm orzo to a large bowl. Pour about two-thirds of the dressing over it and toss to coat - the warm pasta absorbs flavor beautifully. Add cucumber, tomatoes, olives, red onion, and parsley. Toss gently to combine.
  2. Add the sliced chicken and feta to the bowl. Drizzle with remaining dressing and give everything a final gentle toss. Taste and adjust salt if needed - the olives and feta add plenty of salinity. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Notes

Make this a day ahead for even better flavor - the orzo soaks up the dressing as it sits. Substitute cooked shrimp or white beans for the chicken to switch things up. For the best texture, use English cucumber (the seedless kind in plastic wrap) rather than regular waxy cucumbers.