Orzo Chicken Salad with Avocado Lime Dressing

Name: Orzo Chicken Salad with Avocado Lime Dressing
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: ⅓ cup dried orzo pasta; ½ cup frozen corn kernels; 1 cup cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped; ½ cup fresh tomatoes, diced; ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped; ¼ cup reduced-fat feta cheese, crumbled; 1 ripe avocado; ⅓ cup water; 1 teaspoon lime zest; 1 juice of 1 lime; 1 clove garlic, minced; ¼ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes

Recipe GLPR31ea4fb1a37505

Salad

45 min

102 cal

Servings: 8

Stovetop

SNAP eligible

A fresh and vibrant salad combining tender orzo pasta, seasoned cooked chicken, sweet corn, and bright vegetables, topped with a silky avocado lime dressing. This light, citrus-forward dish is perfect as a starter, appetizer, or light meal.

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Ingredients

⅓ cup dried orzo pasta

½ cup frozen corn kernels

1 cup cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, chopped

½ cup fresh tomatoes, diced

¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped

¼ cup reduced-fat feta cheese, crumbled

1 ripe avocado

⅓ cup water

1 teaspoon lime zest

1 juice of 1 lime

1 clove garlic, minced

¼ teaspoon dried red pepper flakes

Directions

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook according to package directions. During the final minute of cooking, stir in the frozen corn kernels and cook until both are tender. Drain the orzo and corn mixture thoroughly, then rinse under cold running water until completely cooled, stirring gently to ensure even cooling and thorough draining.
Transfer the cooled orzo and corn to a large mixing bowl. Add the chopped cooked chicken, diced tomatoes, fresh cilantro, and crumbled feta cheese. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad mixture until ready to serve, allowing the flavors to meld.
While the salad chills, prepare the dressing. Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into a blender. Add the water, lime juice, lime zest, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes. Blend on high speed until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides if needed.
To serve, portion the chilled orzo chicken salad into serving bowls or onto a platter. Drizzle the avocado lime dressing generously over the top of each serving just before eating.

Comments

Grocery List Plus Editorial Staff4

This is a solid weeknight salad with every ingredient readily available at Harris Teeter, Food Lion, or Kroger without a special trip. The cost per serving lands around $2.50–$3.00 when you factor in chicken breast at $6–$8 per pound, feta, avocado, and lime, which is reasonable for eight servings. The 45-minute claim is honest for cooking pasta and chicken, though active prep (chopping tomato, cilantro, and avocado; zesting and juicing lime) adds 10–15 minutes that home cooks should anticipate. This reheats well as a cold salad and feeds a family without fussy plating, though you'll want to add dressing right before serving to keep it from getting soggy.