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A clean, appetizing overhead shot of the grilled chicken orzo salad. The bright, natural lighting highlights the fresh textures of the ingredients.

Grilled Chicken Orzo Salad: A Bright, Rustic, & Delicious Meal

This Grilled Chicken Orzo Salad is a visually stunning and delicious meal with perfectly charred chicken, creamy avocado, crisp vegetables, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette. It's a healthy, balanced recipe perfect for a satisfying lunch or light dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 650
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Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (120ml)
  • 1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice (60ml)
  • 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard (15g)
  • 1 clove Garlic, finely minced
  • 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt (3g), or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Freshly Cracked Black Pepper (1.5g), or to taste
  • 1 lb Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (450g), about 2 medium breasts
  • 8 ounces Orzo Pasta (225g)
  • 1 English Cucumber, chopped
  • 2 Ripe Avocados, diced
  • 5 ounces Fresh Arugula (140g)
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil (15ml), for grilling

Equipment

  • 1 Grill or Grill Pan
  • 1 Large pot
  • 4 Shallow Bowls

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook orzo according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water. In a small bowl, whisk together all vinaigrette ingredients: extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
  2. Pat chicken breasts dry and rub with 1 tbsp olive oil, salt, and pepper. Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Grill chicken for 6-8 minutes per side, until cooked through with dark char marks. Let it rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
  3. While chicken rests, chop the cucumber and dice the avocados. Season avocado with a pinch of black pepper. In a large bowl, combine the cooled orzo and chopped cucumber. Pour about three-quarters of the vinaigrette over and toss to coat.
  4. Arrange a bed of arugula in shallow bowls. Top with the orzo-cucumber mixture. Neatly arrange the sliced grilled chicken and diced avocado in distinct sections. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and serve immediately.

Notes

Don't Overcook the Orzo: Mushy orzo can ruin the texture. Cook it just until al dente.
Rest Your Chicken: Letting the grilled chicken rest before slicing is essential for juicy results.
Add Avocado Last: To keep your avocado vibrant green, dice and add it just before serving.
Season Every Layer: Season the pasta water, chicken, and avocado individually for the best flavor.