Chicken Orzo Salad with Goat Cheese

Elevate your salad game with this vibrant Chicken Orzo Salad with Goat Cheese, a perfect blend of fresh Mediterranean flavors and wholesome ingredients. Tender, golden-brown chicken breasts pair beautifully with al dente orzo pasta, crisp cherry tomatoes, refreshing cucumber, and peppery baby spinach, all tossed in a zesty lemon-honey dressing. The crowning touch? Creamy crumbles of goat cheese that add a rich, tangy finish. Ready in just 35 minutes, this easy and satisfying recipe is ideal for meal prep, lunch on the go, or a light dinner. Serve it chilled for a refreshing twist or enjoy it fresh for ultimate flavor. Whether you're hosting a gathering or planning a weeknight meal, this chicken orzo salad delivers a balance of texture, taste, and nutrition that's sure to impress.

Nutriscore Rating: 75/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup Orzo pasta
• 1 cup Cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 medium Cucumber, diced
• 0.5 small Red onion, finely chopped
• 2 cups Baby spinach, chopped
• 0.5 cup Goat cheese, crumbled
• 3 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 large Lemon, juiced
• 1 teaspoon Honey
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
• 4 cups Water

Directions

Step 1

Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium-sized pot. Add the orzo and cook for 8-10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.

Step 2

While the orzo is cooling, season the chicken breasts with 0.5 teaspoons of salt, 0.25 teaspoons of black pepper, and 0.5 teaspoons of dried oregano.

Step 3

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for 6-7 minutes on each side, or until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove from the skillet, let it rest for 5 minutes, then slice into thin strips.

Step 4

In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, honey, 0.5 teaspoons of dried oregano, 0.5 teaspoons of salt, and 0.25 teaspoons of black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 5

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, chopped red onion, and baby spinach. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.

Step 6

Gently fold in the sliced chicken and crumbled goat cheese.

Step 7

Serve immediately or chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before serving for a refreshing cold salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2186.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2122.5

Total Fat 84.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 27.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 359.9mg	0%
Sodium 3312.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 179.9g	0%
Dietary Fiber 17.3g	0%
Total Sugars 19.1g
Protein 161.0g	0%

Vitamin D 3.5IU	0%
Calcium 501.5mg	0%
Iron 15.9mg	0%
Potassium 2342.3mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 35.9%

Protein: 30.3%

Carbs: 33.8%