Chickpea Orzo Salad

Bright, flavorful, and irresistibly satisfying, this Chickpea Orzo Salad is a Mediterranean-inspired dish that’s perfect for quick lunches, potlucks, or light dinners. Featuring tender orzo pasta, protein-packed chickpeas, and a vibrant medley of fresh vegetables including cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red bell pepper, this salad is as nutritious as it is delicious. Tossed in a zesty lemon-garlic dressing and dotted with briny kalamata olives and creamy crumbled feta, every bite bursts with savory and tangy goodness. Ready in just 25 minutes, this versatile salad can be served chilled or at room temperature, making it an ideal make-ahead option. Whether you’re searching for a healthy vegetarian recipe, a refreshing pasta salad, or an easy meal-prep idea, this Chickpea Orzo Salad delivers in both flavor and convenience.

Nutriscore Rating: 71/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup orzo pasta
• 1 can (15 oz) canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 medium cucumber, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 0.5 cup kalamata olives, sliced
• 0.5 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

Step 1

Cook the orzo pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, and kalamata olives.

Step 3

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to make the dressing.

Step 4

Pour the dressing over the orzo mixture and toss to coat all the ingredients evenly.

Step 5

Add the crumbled feta cheese and chopped parsley to the salad. Gently mix to combine.

Step 6

Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice to suit your preference.

Step 7

Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours to let the flavors meld together. Stir well before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1471.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2297.9

Total Fat 104.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 28.3g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4.0g
Cholesterol 100mg	0%
Sodium 5621.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 279.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 47.9g	0%
Total Sugars 35.2g
Protein 73.6g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 929.0mg	0%
Iron 23.0mg	0%
Potassium 2098.7mg	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: 40.1%

Protein: 12.5%

Carbs: 47.4%