Lemony Chickpea Orzo Salad (Printable)

Fresh Mediterranean orzo with chickpeas, crisp vegetables, and bright lemon herb dressing

# What You’ll Need:

→ Salad Base

01 - 1 cup orzo pasta (approximately 6 ounces)
02 - 1 can (15 ounces) 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

# How to Prepare:

01 - Cook orzo according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water to halt the cooking process and prevent sticking.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled orzo, drained chickpeas, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, minced red onion, chopped parsley, mint, and crumbled feta cheese if using.
03 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until fully emulsified and creamy.
04 - Pour the lemon vinaigrette over the salad mixture and toss gently to coat evenly. Adjust seasonings to taste. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The orzo pasta makes it satisfying enough to be a meal, not just a side dish
  • Everything can be prepped ahead and it actually tastes better after the flavors mingle
02 -
  • Rinse the orzo thoroughly under cold water immediately after draining. This step prevents the pasta from continuing to cook and becoming gummy.
  • The salad needs time to marinate. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes before serving so the orzo absorbs the vinaigrette.
03 -
  • Toast the orzo in olive oil for 2 minutes before adding water. This adds a nutty depth that takes the salad to another level.
  • Use a vegetable peeler to shave ribbons of cucumber instead of dicing. It looks elegant and changes the texture beautifully.
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