Lemony Chickpea Orzo Salad (Printable)

Fresh Mediterranean salad combining tender orzo, protein-rich chickpeas, crisp vegetables, and fragrant herbs in bright lemon vinaigrette.

# What You'll Need:

→ Salad

01 - 1 cup orzo pasta
02 - 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
03 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
04 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
06 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
08 - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

→ Lemon Vinaigrette

09 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
11 - 1 teaspoon lemon zest
12 - 1 clove garlic, finely minced
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# Directions:

01 - Cook the orzo according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo, chickpeas, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, mint, and feta cheese if desired.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until the mixture is well emulsified.
04 - Pour the prepared vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to evenly coat all ingredients.
05 - Taste the salad and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The orzo absorbs all that lemony dressing making each bite perfectly tangy
  • It actually tastes better after sitting in the fridge for a few hours
  • You can prep everything in advance and just toss before serving
02 -
  • Rinse the orzo thoroughly under cold water or it will keep cooking and turn into a gummy sticky mess
  • Let the salad sit for at least 30 minutes before serving so the orzo can drink up all that lemon vinaigrette
03 -
  • Make double the vinaigrette and keep it in a jar for quick salads throughout the week
  • Toast the orzo in a dry pan before boiling it for a nutty deeper flavor that transforms the whole dish
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