Asian Enlightenment Chicken & Orzo Salad
Delight in a refreshing twist on a classic pasta salad with our Asian Enlightenment Chicken & Orzo Salad. Featuring vibrant colors, crisp textures, and a medley of flavors, this delightful dish combines tender orzo pasta with succulent chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a zesty Asian-inspired dressing that will take your taste buds on a journey. Perfect for picnics, potlucks, or as a fun side dish at family gatherings, this salad is sure to impress your guests and elevate your culinary repertoire.
12
Servings
200
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Frozen sugar snap peas
9 ounces (cooked according to package directions)
Orzo pasta
16 ounces (cooked and drained)
Water chestnuts
1 cup (drained and chopped)
Cooked chicken
3 cups (diced)
Green onions
3 (chopped)
Red bell pepper
1 medium (diced)
Vegetable oil
1/2 cup (none)
Rice wine vinegar
3 tablespoons (none)
Soy sauce
2 tablespoons (none)
Hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons (none)
Slivered almonds
2 ounces (toasted)
Instructions
1
Begin by cooking the frozen sugar snap peas according to the package directions. Once cooked, drain them well and set them aside to cool slightly.
2
In a spacious mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo pasta, chopped water chestnuts, diced cooked chicken, chopped green onions, diced red bell pepper, and the cooled sugar snap peas.
3
In a separate small bowl, whisk together the vegetable oil, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce until well blended to create the dressing.
4
Pour the prepared dressing over the orzo and chicken mixture, and gently toss everything until the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
5
Lastly, fold in the toasted slivered almonds for an added crunch and nutty flavor.
6
Cover the salad and refrigerate it until you are ready to serve, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully.
Nutrition Information
8.33g
Fat
16.67g
Carbs
12.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Asian Enlightenment Chicken & Orzo Salad?
It is a refreshing pasta salad featuring orzo, succulent chicken, crunchy vegetables, and a zesty Asian-inspired dressing.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 12 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains 200 calories.
What type of pasta is used in this salad?
The recipe calls for 16 ounces of orzo pasta.
How much chicken is required for this recipe?
You will need 3 cups of diced, cooked chicken.
What kind of sugar snap peas should I use?
The recipe specifies using 9 ounces of frozen sugar snap peas, cooked according to package directions.
How are the almonds prepared?
The 2 ounces of slivered almonds should be toasted before being folded into the salad.
What ingredients are in the dressing?
The dressing consists of vegetable oil, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce.
Is there hoisin sauce in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe uses 2 teaspoons of hoisin sauce.
How much vegetable oil is needed for the dressing?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of vegetable oil.
What is the protein content per serving?
There are 12.5 grams of protein in each serving.
How much fat is in a single serving?
Each serving contains 8.33 grams of fat.
What are the total carbohydrates per serving?
There are 16.67 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What vegetables provide crunch in this salad?
Water chestnuts, red bell pepper, and sugar snap peas provide the crunch.
How many green onions should be used?
The recipe calls for 3 chopped green onions.
What should I do with the water chestnuts?
You should drain and chop 1 cup of water chestnuts.
How is the red bell pepper prepared?
One medium red bell pepper should be diced.
What is the final step before serving?
Cover the salad and refrigerate it to allow the flavors to meld.
How much soy sauce is used?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of soy sauce.
How much rice wine vinegar is used?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar.
When do I add the toasted slivered almonds?
The almonds are the last ingredient to be folded into the salad before refrigeration.
Is this recipe suitable for potlucks?
Yes, it is described as perfect for picnics, potlucks, and family gatherings.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 11 ingredients in this recipe.
What category does this recipe fall under?
This recipe is categorized under Chicken.
How do I prepare the dressing?
Whisk together the vegetable oil, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce in a small bowl until well blended.
Can I serve this salad immediately?
While you can, it is recommended to refrigerate it first to let the flavors meld beautifully.
What is the texture of the chicken in this salad?
The recipe uses succulent, diced cooked chicken.
Does the recipe include fiber or sugar data?
The specific fiber and sugar counts are not provided in the nutrition facts for this recipe.
What makes this salad 'Asian-inspired'?
The use of ingredients like water chestnuts, rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, and hoisin sauce gives it an Asian flavor profile.
What kind of container should I use for mixing?
You should use a spacious mixing bowl to combine the pasta, chicken, and vegetables.