Lemony Chickpea Orzo Salad (Printable)

Fresh Mediterranean salad combining tender orzo, chickpeas, crisp vegetables, and zesty lemon vinaigrette. Ideal for any occasion.

# Ingredient List:

→ Salad

01 - 1 cup orzo pasta
02 - 1 can (15 oz) 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

# Directions:

01 - Cook orzo according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
02 - In a large bowl, combine cooked orzo, chickpeas, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, parsley, mint, and feta cheese if using.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
04 - Pour vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly.
05 - Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in under thirty minutes but tastes like you spent all day planning it
  • The flavors actually get better as it sits making it perfect for meal prep or make ahead gatherings
02 -
  • The orzo will continue absorbing liquid as it sits so if you are making this ahead add half the dressing first and the rest right before serving
  • Fresh herbs can turn dark if dressed too early so I often add half the parsley and mint right before serving to keep everything bright and green
03 -
  • Use a microplane to grate the garlic into the dressing instead of mincing it so it dissolves completely and you do not bite into raw chunks
  • Let the dressed salad sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving because the flavors really pop when they are not ice cold from the refrigerator
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