This easy Pioneer Woman Orzo Salad is a light, refreshing dish that’s perfect for any meal. With creamy feta, juicy tomatoes, and hearty chickpeas, it’s quick to prepare and full of flavor. You can customize it with your favorite ingredients, making it a versatile, nutritious option for any occasion.
Ingredients Needed
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 whole lemon, juiced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 12 oz orzo pasta (about 2 cups), cooked, drained, and cooled
- 1 cup yellow grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup kalamata olives, halved
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional), plus more to serve
- 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 red onion, diced
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley, minced, plus more to serve
How To Make Orzo Salad Recipe
- Make the Dressing: In a jar or small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Shake or whisk until fully blended.
- Prepare the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled orzo pasta, halved tomatoes, olives, chickpeas, diced red onion, and minced parsley.
- Add the Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything to combine evenly. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Chill the Salad: Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors meld together.
- Serve: Before serving, top with additional crumbled feta (if desired) and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor. It gives the salad a bright, fresh taste that bottled juice can’t match.
- Chill the salad before serving to let the flavors blend together. This makes the salad even tastier!
- Don’t overcook the orzo pasta. Cook it just until tender and then cool it quickly under cold water to keep it from becoming mushy.
- Add more veggies like cucumber or bell pepper for extra crunch and freshness, if you like.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving. Depending on the tomatoes and feta, you may want to add more salt or lemon juice for balance.
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Let the leftover orzo salad cool to room temperature before placing it in an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Place the leftover orzo salad in a microwave-safe dish, cover loosely, and heat for 30-60 seconds, stirring halfway through. Add a splash of olive oil or lemon juice to refresh the flavor if needed.
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 290
- Total Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Cholesterol: 5mg
- Sodium: 380mg
- Potassium: 350mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 32g
- Dietary Fiber: 3g
- Sugars: 2g
- Protein: 6g
More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
Pioneer Woman Orzo Salad Recipe
Description
This easy Pioneer Woman Orzo Salad is a light, refreshing dish that’s perfect for any meal. With creamy feta, juicy tomatoes, and hearty chickpeas, it’s quick to prepare and full of flavor. You can customize it with your favorite ingredients, making it a versatile, nutritious option for any occasion.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Make the Dressing: In a jar or small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Shake or whisk until fully blended.
- Prepare the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked and cooled orzo pasta, halved tomatoes, olives, chickpeas, diced red onion, and minced parsley.
- Add the Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss everything to combine evenly. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Chill the Salad: Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving to let the flavors meld together.
- Serve: Before serving, top with additional crumbled feta (if desired) and a sprinkle of fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Notes
- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor. It gives the salad a bright, fresh taste that bottled juice can’t match.
- Chill the salad before serving to let the flavors blend together. This makes the salad even tastier!
- Don’t overcook the orzo pasta. Cook it just until tender and then cool it quickly under cold water to keep it from becoming mushy.
- Add more veggies like cucumber or bell pepper for extra crunch and freshness, if you like.
- Taste and adjust the seasoning before serving. Depending on the tomatoes and feta, you may want to add more salt or lemon juice for balance.
Pioneer Woman Orzo Salad Recipe