Cucumber Lemon Chicken Orzo Salad

This Cucumber Lemon Chicken Orzo Salad is the perfect lunch for the weekdays! You can prep it all in about 20 minutes and it makes for the easiest and most delicious lunch. I have experimented with this recipe a little bit and have found the one we love the most!

That's the beauty about a salad like this - you can add and take away what you want! Recipe is below!!

I N G R E D I E N T S:

For the salad:

1 cup of cooked orzo (I used whole wheat orzo and just follow the orzo directions on the box for how to cook)

15 ounces (1 can) chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 cup chopped cucumber (I also peel the cucumber - just an option)

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/4 cup chopped fresh dill

1/4 cup diced red onion

2 chicken breasts

Lemon zest from 1 lemon

For the dressing:

3 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (I use 4 because I LOVE me some lemon)

1 minced garlic clove

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill

Pinch of salt and finely ground pepper (to taste)

D I R E C T I O N S:

1. Cook the orzo pasta according to package directions. While that cooks, chop the chicken into bite sized pieces and toss in a medium bowl with a table spoon of olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook the chicken over medium/high heat while the orzo cooks.

2. Meanwhile, chop the cucumber, dill, and red onion.

3. Once the orzo is done, drain the orzo and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and to wash away some of the starches. Allow the pasta to cool.

4. In a large bowl (my favorite is the Rachel Ray garbage bowl - linked here), combine orzo, chicken, chickpeas, cucumbers, feta, dill, lemon zest, and red onion.

5. In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper. Drizzle over salad and stir until ingredients are well coated. Serve immediately or chilled! Wrap the top of the bowl with cling wrap and keep in fridge!

(Fun note: We love to eat this for lunches with a little twist - instead of eating it cold, we barely warm it up in the microwave (like 30 seconds) after it's been chilled in the fridge and add a little hot sauce to it! If you know us, you'll know we love a little hot sauce on just about everything) Enjoy!!

AMAZON FAVS USED FOR THIS DISH:

click on the picture for the link!!

For more kitchen favorites, check out my Amazon page here!!