Lemon Herb Orzo Salad with Grilled Chicken or Shrimp
Lemon Herb Orzo Salad with Grilled Chicken or Shrimp
Ingredients
For the Grilled Protein
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces, OR
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Orzo Salad
- 1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
For the Lemon Herb Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- 1
Prepare your chosen protein: For chicken, toss the diced chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. For shrimp, toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with the same seasonings. Grill or pan-fry the chicken or shrimp over medium-high heat until cooked through and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes for chicken and 3-5 minutes for shrimp. Set aside to cool slightly.
⏱️ 10 min
- 2
Cook the orzo pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Set aside to cool completely.
⏱️ 10 min
- 3
While the orzo cools, prepare the vegetables. Dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, and finely dice the red onion. Chop the fresh parsley and dill.
⏱️ 5 min
- 4
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper for the dressing until well combined.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, chopped parsley, and chopped dill. Add the cooled grilled chicken or shrimp.
⏱️ 2 min
- 6
Pour the lemon herb dressing over the orzo, vegetable, and protein mixture. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately or chill for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld.
⏱️ 3 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Lemon Herb Orzo Salad with Grilled Chicken or Shrimp
Ingredients
For the Grilled Protein
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces, OR
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
For the Orzo Salad
- 1 cup orzo pasta, uncooked
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
For the Lemon Herb Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- 1
Prepare your chosen protein: For chicken, toss the diced chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. For shrimp, toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with the same seasonings. Grill or pan-fry the chicken or shrimp over medium-high heat until cooked through and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes for chicken and 3-5 minutes for shrimp. Set aside to cool slightly.
⏱️ 10 min - 2
Cook the orzo pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain well and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process and prevent sticking. Set aside to cool completely.
⏱️ 10 min - 3
While the orzo cools, prepare the vegetables. Dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, and finely dice the red onion. Chop the fresh parsley and dill.
⏱️ 5 min - 4
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper for the dressing until well combined.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled orzo, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, chopped parsley, and chopped dill. Add the cooled grilled chicken or shrimp.
⏱️ 2 min - 6
Pour the lemon herb dressing over the orzo, vegetable, and protein mixture. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately or chill for at least 30 minutes for flavors to meld.
⏱️ 3 min