This Greek Orzo Salad with Chickpeas is one of my favorites because it makes a TON, stores well, and can act as a main or side dish. I can’t wait for you to try it!
As we approach the summer months, we put hearty, warming meals on the back burner and reach for crisp, light, and fresh meals instead. This Greek orzo salad with chickpeas is served cold, like a pasta salad. This recipe makes a TON of food and stores well – meaning it makes a great meal-prep dish and can be eaten over and over again throughout the week.
Greek food holds a special place in my heart. Fun Fact: I studied abroad in Greece. Even better, the class I took was “Food and Culture”. I was fortunate enough to have a fully immersive experience of all things Greek food, and I would love to share some of what I learned with you today.
In this post, you will learn how to make Greek orzo salad with chickpeas. You will learn how orzo is made, some basic info on Greek cuisine overall, how to serve this dish and storage information.
In this recipe, I use my salt-free Greek spice blend from my spice company – The Spice Girl Kitchen. I’m completely biased because it is, after all, my spice recipe and the best salt-free Greek seasoning on the market. But feel free to use whatever Greek spice you have on hand!
This post is all about Greek Orzo Salad with Chickpeas.
Greek Cuisine
If there is one thing I know about Greek food – it’s that the sourcing makes all the difference. Meaning, any old olive oil or any old lemons don’t always yield the best results (it will still be delicious, but using high-quality local ingredients is the secret to bringing these dishes to life).
Mediterranean food in general is known for its bright and light ingredients. Greek cuisine specifically is known for its simple, healthy, and fresh ingredients that yield bold, distinct flavors. They place a high priority on using the freshest, local ingredients, they commonly incorporate seafood into their diets, and they tend to skip fried meats and opt for grilled meats instead. Most of all, they lean into the use of garlic, herbs, olive oil, and lemon in many dishes.
We all know that healthy food can sometimes be boring, but Greek food takes all those ingredients that you “should” be eating and marries them in such a way that it turns into comfort food. If you don’t know, I’m a dietitian turned private chef. So for the reasons stated above – Greek food is a frequent flyer in our household. It’s delicious and satisfying while supporting the health of my family. Win-win! (Can I get an “Opa”?!)
What is Orzo?
It may look like a grain of rice, but it’s actually pasta-shaped rice! Most of the time, you will find that orzo is made from semolina flour (a type of durum wheat), so is not a gluten-free product (although I’m sure someone has made gluten-free orzo by now!).
You cook it like pasta – boiling your liquid first, then adding in the dry orzo and cooking until al dente. It will swell and absorb some liquid, but you likely will have to drain some liquid once the orzo is done (unlike rice which absorbs all liquid).
How to make Greek Orzo Salad with Chickpeas
This recipe requires minimal cooking, making it a great last-minute option to bring to a potluck or party. (Yet another example of lazy ways to impress people!) The steps are simple.
- Simply sautee the onion and garlic until translucent, then add in the orzo with chicken broth. Cook until the orzo is al dente.
- While the orzo is cooling, you prep & chop the remaining ingredients.
- Then, prep the salad dressing by shaking the ingredients together in a mason jar.
- Once the orzo is cooled, toss it with the dressing and the other raw ingredients – that’s it!
Serving Information
As I have already mentioned, this recipe makes a great main dish OR a great side dish. It can be considered a main dish because it’s got everything you need for a complete meal – protein, carbs, fat, and veggies. This recipe is vegetarian as it stands, but can easily be made vegan by either omitting or replacing the feta with its vegan alternative.
However, if you are looking to add a bit more “oomph” to this simple dish, here are a few serving suggestions:
- serve it with “Meze”: an array of hummus, tzatziki, taramasalata, veggies, and pita bread
- make some Greek chicken kebabs
- serve it with white fish or shrimp
- make some lamb meatballs
- serve it with some dolma (stuffed grape leaves)
I also want to remind you that this dish is served cold, so no reheating is required when serving!
Storage Information
Fridge: Transfer the dish to a large glass storage container with an airtight lid. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. No reheating is needed!
Freezer: I do not recommend freezing this recipe because of the raw veggies involved.
I hope this recipe inspires you to play in your kitchen today! Let’s dive in!
Greek Orzo Pasta with Chickpeas
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 red onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 32 oz reduced-sodium chicken broth
- 16 oz orzo, dry
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 15-oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
- 8 oz feta cheese
- 1 small cucumber, sliced and quartered
- 1/3 cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
For The Dressing
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tbsp The Spice Girl Kitchen Greek Seasoning
- 1 tsp The Spice Girl Kitchen Tri-Salt Blend, plus more to taste
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and sautée for 3-5 minutes, or until they start to become translucent. Add in garlic and cook 1 additional minute.
- Add in chicken broth, orzo, and lemon juice, stir well. Simmer for 8-10 minutes or until orzo is al dente. Stir frequently so the orzo doesn't stick to the bottom. If there is leftover liquid, drain orzo. Transfer to a large bowl and place in the fridge to cool while you prep the remaining ingredients.
- Prep chickpeas, tomatoes, feta cheese, cucumber, olives as noted above in the ingredients section. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and set aside.
- In a mason jar, add lemon juice, olive oil, The Spice Girl Kitchen Tri-Salt Blend, and The Spice Girl Kitchen Greek Seasoning. Seal and shake well to combine.
- Remove orzo from refrigerator and combine with other salad ingredients. Add dressing and stir again. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe is vegetarian and can be easily made vegan by omitting the feta cheese or replacing it with vegan feta.
- You can serve this dish with pita bread, hummus, Greek-inspired chicken, lamb, shrimp, or white fish.
This post was all about Greek Orzo Salad with Chickpeas.
Did you make this recipe? Make sure to tag me @thespicegirlkitchen_ on Instagram or @thespicegirlkitchen on TikTok! I love seeing your recreations! I will be your ultimate hype woman!
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