• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Sweet Beginnings Blog

  • Home
  • About
  • Recipe Index
    • Appetizers/Dips
    • Beef
    • Beverages
    • Bready Things
    • Breakfast/Brunch
    • Fish & Other Seafood
      • Cod
      • Mahi Mahi
      • Salmon
      • Scallops
      • Shrimp
      • Tilapia
      • Tuna
    • Game Meat
      • Lamb
      • Venison
    • Pasta
    • Pizza
    • Pork
    • Poultry
      • Chicken
      • Turkey
    • Salad
    • Sammiches, Burgers, Wraps, etc.
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups, Stews, and Chili
    • Tacos, Taquitos, Tostadas, & Burritos
    • Vegetarian/Meatless
  • Sweet Treats
    • Brownies, Bars, & Fudge
      • Bars
      • Brownies
      • Fudge
    • Cake
    • Candy
    • Cheesecake
    • Cookies
    • Crisp
    • Cupcakes & Muffins
      • Cupcakes
      • Muffins
    • Dessert Pops
    • Donuts
    • Fruit Salad
    • Ice Cream
    • Pastries
    • Pie
    • Popcorn
    • Snack Mix
    • Sweet Bread
    • Tarts
    • Truffles
  • Privacy Policy

Lemon Orzo Chicken Salad

August 11, 2014 by Jaida 1 Comment

Do any of you watch The Next Food Network Star? I have to give these people serious props, because there is NO way I could subject myself to that sort of speculation…on TV or in a public scenario. I’m more of a cook-for-the-ones-I-love and share it with the world in print and photos, type. I have serious stage fright issues, y’all.

Despite what my astrological sign (Leo) implies, I do not enjoy being the center of attention. I don’t like all eyes on me. I just like to work behind the scenes to get things done and take care of the ones I love. I’m fortunate to have a love and a knack for cooking. It’s one of the best ways I can think of for me to care for and show love to the people in my life. So, as disappointing as I know it is for you all to hear ::insert a big wink and silly laugh here::, you won’t find me being the next food blogger trying to get on a cooking competition TV show. I’ll stick to watching the cooking shows, cooking at home, and sharing it with you all here.

Lemon Orzo Chicken Salad
It’s been  a long couple of weeks and another long one yet to come, but I’m looking forward to the upcoming weekend (yes, I know today is only Monday) and going to a nearby Six Flags theme park for a little fun on my birthday weekend. A week from today, I turn the big 3-4. Ok, so this isn’t a “big” birthday, but whatevs. Saturday will be my first day off in nineteen days, between my two jobs. Nineteen days, you guys. Geez. But that’s just a part of life and being a grown-up sometimes, right? I’m not complaining. I do it by choice, but I do miss the time it takes away from J and the nights I miss cooking for him. That means I have to make the times I do cook really count.
Lemon Orzo Chicken Salad 2

This lemon orzo chicken salad was a definitely one that counted. Not only was it a great dinner, but the leftovers were perfect for lunch. And the best part, in my opinion, is the lemon zest. Yes, I said lemon zest. I find that anytime I add lemon zest to a dish, it has a lighter, fresher flavor to it. And J always notices when it’s there, too. I love lemon juice, there’s no doubt about that, but it’s the zest that really kicks things up a notch.
Lemon Chicken Orzo
Of course the asparagus and tomatoes scream summer and freshness, too. And the chicken and orzo make this a great entree dish that’s filling, but still light. I told you before that I’m all about the one dish meals lately, and this one fits the bill.
Lemon Orzo Chicken Salad
Adapted from For the Love of Cooking
Ingredients
  • 6 oz of orzo
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 6 asparagus spears, hard ends removed and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • Handful of grape tomatoes, sliced in half lengthwise
  • Zest and juice from 1 lemon
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • Parmesan cheese

 

Preparation
  1. Cook the orzo in a large pot, according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  2. Meanwhile, heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat, season the chicken with salt and pepper, and cook for 3-4 minutes per side or until cooked through. Remove the chicken to a cutting board to cool before cutting into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Using the same skillet, add a little bit of olive oil or cooking spray and cook the asparagus pieces until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. During the last minute, add the garlic, salt and pepper, and stir the mixture.
  4. Now, add the orzo and chicken pieces to the asparagus skillet and stir to combine. Remove the mixture to a large bowl, then add the lemon juice, zest, and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper, to taste, then top with Parmesan cheese and serve.

Filed Under: Chicken, Main Dish, Pasta Tagged With: Chicken, Lemon, Orzo

Previous Post: « Taco Tuesday: Crispy Chipotle Shrimp Tacos with Chipotle Lime Sauce
Next Post: Fresh Summer Chicken Salad with Watermelon & Strawberries »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. USA Kiwi (Kylee)

    August 11, 2014 at 5:30 pm

    I think you'd be awesome on FNS!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

As a busy wife and mom who also works a full time job, I try to have dinner done in 30 minutes or less so I can spend more of my evenings with my hubby and baby girl, so what you will find here are recipes that are mostly-healthy, quick and easy. Of course I have desserts, less healthy and more time-intensive meals as well (everything in moderation!), but all-in-all, you can count on weeknight friendly options, all made with love and dished up with a side of life, love, and family! Read More…

Let’s Be Social!

Search this website

Never miss a post from Sweet Beginnings

Categories

Archives

Top Posts & Pages

Venison Sausage Tortellini Skillet
Bloody Mary Wings
Smoked Gouda & Cheddar Mac N Cheese
Blackberry Lemon Sweet Rolls

Footer

© 2023 Sweet Beginnings · Tasteful Theme by Restored 316