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Top-down view of a vibrant Greek chicken and orzo pasta salad tossed with chickpeas, roasted red pepper, fresh parsley, grape tomatoes, and pepperoncini in a mixing bowl.

Greek Chicken and Orzo Pasta Salad with Marinated Feta

5 from 1 vote
Fresh, zesty, and protein-packed — this Greek Chicken and Orzo Pasta Salad is your new go-to for easy lunches, summer dinners, or meal prep. Tender grilled chicken, creamy marinated feta, and crisp vegetables come together with orzo and a lemony oregano dressing for a salad that’s as satisfying as it is refreshing.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings : 8 servings

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Ingredients

For the Dressing
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
  • 3 cloves garlic, finely grated
  • 1/3 cup fresh oregano, finely chopped (or 2 tbsp dried)
  • 2 lemons, zest & juice
  • 1 tsp sea salt
For the Greek Chicken
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, halved horizontally into thin cutlets
For the Pasta Salad
  • 12 oz orzo pasta
  • 1 (15oz) can chickpeas, drained & rinsed
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 3 Persian cucumbers, halved and thinly sliced
  • 1 cup roasted red bell pepper, sliced
  • 1 cup kalamata olives, halved
  • 1 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
  • 2/3 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped (about 1 large bunch)
  • 8 oz feta cheese, cut into small cubes
Start Cooking

Instructions
 

1 . Make the Dressing
  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup olive oil, ⅓ cup red wine vinegar, 3 finely grated garlic cloves, ⅓ cup finely chopped fresh oregano, the zest and juice of 2 lemons, and 1 teaspoon salt until well combined.
2. Marinate the Chicken and Feta
  1. Pour half of the dressing (about ⅓ cup) into a large bowl. Divide the remaining half between two small bowls—¼ for the feta and ¼ marinating the chicken.
  2. Slice 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts in half horizontally to create 8 thin cutlets. Add to a large bowl with ¼ of the dressing and toss to coat evenly. Set aside to marinate while you prep the other ingredients.
  3. Add 8 oz cubed feta cheese to one of the small bowls with ¼ of the dressing. Stir gently and let marinate while you prepare the salad.
    Raw skinless chicken breasts marinating in a lemon herb dressing beside a small bowl of feta cheese cubes in Greek dressing, prep stage for Greek chicken and orzo pasta salad.
3. Cook the Orzo
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 12 oz of orzo pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, then rinse with cold water until completely cooled. Set aside in a colander.
4. Prepare the Salad Ingredients
  1. Drain and rinse 1 (15 oz) can of chickpeas and add to the colander with the orzo.
  2. Halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes.
  3. Slice 3 Persian cucumbers into thin half-moons.
  4. Slice 1 cup roasted red bell pepper.
  5. Halve 1 cup kalamata olives.
  6. Slice 1 cup pepperoncini peppers.
  7. Finely chop ⅔ cup fresh parsley (about 1 large bunch).
5. Grill the Chicken
  1. Heat a grill pan or outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Grill the marinated chicken cutlets for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until golden and fully cooked. Let rest for a few minutes, then cut into bite-sized cubes.
    Grilled and chopped chicken on a white plate, golden brown and ready to be added to the Greek chicken and orzo pasta salad for added protein and flavor.
6. Assemble the Salad
  1. In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled orzo and chickpeas. Pour in the reserved ½ portion of dressing and toss to coat. Add the cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, roasted red pepper, olives, pepperoncini, and parsley. Gently stir in the marinated feta along with any remaining dressing from the bowl.
    Large mixing bowl filled with the colorful ingredients for Greek chicken and orzo pasta salad, including chopped chicken, briny olives, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, feta, and orzo.
7. Add the Chicken and Serve
  1. Top the salad with the grilled chicken pieces and give everything a gentle final toss. Refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld.
    Fully mixed Greek chicken and orzo pasta salad with tender orzo, crisp veggies, marinated feta, and lemony grilled chicken, perfect for summer meals or meal prep.

Nutrition

Calories: 554kcalCarbohydrates: 49gProtein: 39gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 1423mgPotassium: 873mgFiber: 7gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 948IUVitamin C: 49mgCalcium: 247mgIron: 4mg