Friday, August 8, 2014

Friday Fascinations - A Recipe for a Summer Pasta Salad


I am not usually a pasta salad girl. Probably because I think mayo is kinda gross. Or at least the idea of mayo is kinda gross. Then I came across this Lemony Orzo Salad with Chicken from Pointless Meals. I knew from the ingredients in it that I had to have it. Orange peppers. Lemon Rind. Honey. Yum!  So I made it for us to take to lunch this week!

Of course I had to change it up just a tad because I can never leave well enough alone...in the kitchen anyhow!

The original recipe, instructions and ingredients can be found here.  What follows is my adapted version:
  • 3/4 c. uncooked orzo pasta
  • 1/4 tsp. grated lemon rind
  • 3 T. fresh lemon juice
  • 1 T. olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. garlic powder (because I didn't have any fresh garlic in the house!)
  • 1/4 tsp. raw honey
  • 1/4 tsp. pepper
  • 1/2 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast (cooking instructions to follow)
  • 1 c. diced English cucumber
  • 1 chopped orange bell pepper
  • 2 sliced green onions
  • 1 tsp. dried dill
  • 1/2 c. crumbled feta (because I HATE goat cheese)
Place the chicken breast in a pot of boiling chicken or veggie broth.  Once cooked thru, remove chicken breast to a plate and shred. 


Now, cook your orzo in the same boiling broth you cooked the chicken in.  


Once almost cooked, put the shredded chicken back in and complete cooking.  Drain and rinse with cold water. Place in a large bowl.


While orzo cooks, combine lemon rind and next 6 ingredients through pepper, stirring with a plastic fork (because I don't have a teeny whisk). Drizzle juice mixture over orzo; toss to coat.




Add chicken and next 4 ingredients ( through dill), toss to combine. 



And green onions.


Sprinkle with feta cheese.


And enjoy!  It is so colorful and pretty and crunchy!  And best of all, tasty!

(EDITED TO ADD: Had it for dinner the next night and it was still super delicious and crunchy!)

What is your favorite summertime recipe?  Do you like goat cheese?  

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

9 comments:

  1. Sounds great! Pinning for later!

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  2. Yumm, looks delicious! I will definitely be trying this! Thanks!

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  3. That looks very tasty, thanks!

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  4. I'm not a mayo girl either but I do love pasta salad. I use lots of flavored oils and vinegars. Happy Friday

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    1. Me too! What is your favorite brand and type? I like chili pepper oils!

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  5. I have a major food aversion to mayo- ick! This mayo-less pasta salad looks delicious (although I think I'd sub quinoa for the orzo).

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