This tasty orzo salad recipe with chicken, also called spinach florentine pasta salad, is a light lunch or easy side dish with fresh vegetables and a tangy homemade lemon dressing. If you like the Macaroni Grill insalata florentine recipe, you’ll love this copycat salad recipe, too!
Easy Orzo Salad Recipe With Chicken
If you’re looking for summer orzo salads, pasta salad sides, or easy summer BBQ recipes or light lunch ideas, this quick and easy recipe is perfect! It’s also great idea for leftover rotisserie chicken!
RECIPE TIP: You can make this orzo salad recipe without chicken, too. I make it that way when we want a vegetarian lunch or dinner without meat.
Chicken Orzo Salad Ingredients
- Cooked chicken
- Orzo pasta
- Spinach
- Arugula
- Cherry tomatoes
- Toasted pine nuts
- Sun dried tomatoes
- Capers
- Kalamata olives
- Green olives
- Lemon juice
- Dijon mustard
- Olive oil
- Honey
- Garlic
- Basil
- Fresh parmesan cheese
- Salt
- Pepper
Get the full printable recipe card below and more recipe tips after the recipe!
More Easy Salad Recipes To Try:
- Recipe for Black Bean and Corn Salad
- Simple Pasta Salad With Pepperoni
- Easy Asparagus Vegetable Salad
- Cranberry Apple Salad Recipe
How To Make The Best Orzo Salad Recipe With Chicken Step-By-Step
This is one of my all-time favorite salad recipes, especially when I’m looking for an easy dinner recipe for hot summer days or if I want to use up any leftover chicken we have.
I call this my copycat Macaroni Grill insalata florentine recipe, which I used to get all the time from that restaurant.
You can also make this as a vegetarian salad without chicken for meatless meals, too.
*SEE OUR TRICK FOR COOKING A FLAVORFUL ORZO AND ANOTHER FAVORITE SALAD RECIPE AFTER THE RECIPE CARD.
Orzo Salad Recipe With Chicken (Insalata Florentine)
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked chicken diced
- 4 cups fresh spinach chopped
- 3 cups fresh arugula chopped
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes sliced
- 1/2 cup cooked orzo pasta* cooked al dente according to package directions, drained and cooled
- 3 Tablespoons pine nuts toasted lightly
- 1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes chopped
- 2 Tablespoons capers rinsed and drained
- 1/3 cup Kalamata olives chopped
- 1/4 cup green olives chopped
- 3 Tablespoons lemon juice juice from 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon of honey
- 1 Tablespoon garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh basil chopped
- Fresh parmesan cheese shaved or grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the salad dressing: lemon juice, mustard, honey, garlic, basil, and olive oil. Salt and pepper, to taste. (NOTE: Olives and capers are salty, so go light on the salt.) Set aside.
- Toss remaining salad ingredients together.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss again.
- Top with pepper and more fresh shaved parmesan. Serve immediately.
- Store in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Note
Nutrition calculations are approximate. If you're following a special diet, please calculate your own nutrition values.
Chicken Orzo Salad Recipe FAQs And Recipe Tips
How To Cook Orzo In Chicken Broth
RECIPE TIP: Cook orzo in chicken broth for extra flavor!
You’ll need:
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 4 cups chicken broth
Instructions:
- In a medium-sized saucepan, bring the chicken broth to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Stir in the orzo pasta and reduce the heat to medium-low. Allow the orzo to simmer gently in the chicken broth.
- Cook the orzo according to the package instructions, typically around 8-10 minutes or until it is al dente (firm to the bite), stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Taste the orzo to ensure it’s cooked to your desired texture. If it’s still too firm, let it cook for another minute or two.
- Once the orzo is cooked, remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Drain the orzo and allow to cool before adding it to the insalata florentine.
Is orzo healthy?
Orzo is a type of pasta made from wheat flour, so it does contain gluten. Orzo has contains carbohydrates and starch, but also has some protein and fiber. Whole wheat orzo can be healthier than traditional white orzo, but can also have a different flavor and texture. Also, skip the heavy cream sauces for a healthier orzo dish.
Couscous vs Orzo
Couscous and orzo are both types of pasta. Couscous is made from semolina wheat or barley flour. Orzo is made from durum wheat flour that looks like large grains of rice. Both can be used as side dishes or in salads, soups, or in recipes.
Orzo vs Risotto
Orzo is a type of pasta made from durum wheat flour, while risotto is a creamy Italian rice dish. Risotto is most often made with Arborio rice. Both can be served as a main dish or a side dish.
Also Try Another Of My Favorite Vegetarian Salad Recipes: Wheat Berry Salad Recipe
I hope you enjoy the orzo salad recipe with chicken! It’s one of the best pasta salads all year!
Looks yummy!