Mediterranean Chicken and Spinach Orzo Salad
This Mediterranean Chicken and Spinach Orzo Salad is a quick and delicious one-dish meal that celebrates vibrant flavors and nutritious ingredients in every bite. Adapted from a cooking magazine recipe, this dish features tender orzo pasta tossed with juicy rotisserie chicken, fresh baby spinach, tangy feta cheese, and a medley of colorful diced tomatoes and kalamata olives. Perfect for meal prep or brown-bagging, it holds its flavor and texture whether enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or cold. Ideal for busy weeknights or leisurely weekends, this satisfying dish brings a taste of the Mediterranean to your table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
orzo pasta
8 ounces (uncooked)
chicken or vegetable bouillon cubes
2 (for cooking liquid)
oven-roasted deli chicken
1 (shredded or chopped)
fresh baby spinach
3 cups (washed)
feta cheese
1 cup (crumbled)
large tomatoes
1 (diced (or use 1 1/2 cups halved grape tomatoes))
kalamata olives
1/2 cup (pitted, reserve brine if using high-quality)
olive oil
2 tablespoons
salt
1/2 teaspoon
reserved olive brine
3 tablespoons (optional)
capers
1 tablespoon (optional)
black pepper
to taste
Instructions
1
1. In a large pot, bring water to a rolling boil and dissolve the chicken or vegetable bouillon cubes in it. Once boiling, add the orzo pasta and cook according to package instructions, typically around 10 minutes.
2
2. While the orzo is cooking, take the oven-roasted deli chicken and shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
3
3. When the orzo is done cooking, drain it in a colander. Return the orzo to the pot.
4
4. Stir in the shredded chicken, fresh baby spinach, crumbled feta cheese, diced tomatoes, pitted kalamata olives, olive oil, salt, reserved olive brine (if using), capers (if using), and ground pepper to taste.
5
5. Cook the mixture over medium heat for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the spinach is wilted, and everything is heated through.
6
6. Serve immediately, or allow it to cool and store in the refrigerator for later enjoyment.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mediterranean Chicken and Spinach Orzo Salad?
It is a quick and delicious one-dish meal featuring orzo pasta, shredded chicken, baby spinach, feta cheese, tomatoes, and kalamata olives.
How long does the orzo pasta take to cook?
The orzo typically takes around 10 minutes to cook according to package instructions.
Can I use vegetable bouillon instead of chicken bouillon?
Yes, you can use either chicken or vegetable bouillon cubes to flavor the boiling water for the pasta.
What kind of chicken should I use?
The recipe recommends using oven-roasted deli chicken that is shredded or chopped into bite-sized pieces.
How is the spinach prepared for this salad?
Fresh baby spinach is washed and then stirred into the hot orzo mixture until it wilts.
Can this salad be eaten cold?
Yes, this dish is versatile and can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or cold.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Absolutely, it is ideal for meal prep or brown-bagging as it holds its flavor and texture well.
Can I substitute large tomatoes with grape tomatoes?
Yes, you can use 1 1/2 cups of halved grape tomatoes as an alternative to one large diced tomato.
What type of olives are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of pitted kalamata olives.
Is the olive brine necessary?
No, adding 3 tablespoons of reserved olive brine is an optional step to enhance the flavor.
How do I prevent the orzo from sticking?
Draining the orzo and immediately mixing it with olive oil and the other ingredients helps prevent sticking.
Are capers included in this recipe?
Adding one tablespoon of capers is an optional addition mentioned in the recipe.
How much feta cheese do I need?
The recipe requires one cup of crumbled feta cheese.
How much olive oil is required?
You will need 2 tablespoons of olive oil for this dish.
How long do I heat the mixture after adding all ingredients?
Heat the mixture over medium heat for an additional 2 to 3 minutes until the spinach is wilted.
Can I serve this salad immediately?
Yes, it can be served immediately while warm or stored for later.
How much orzo pasta is needed?
The recipe uses 8 ounces of uncooked orzo pasta.
How many bouillon cubes are used?
Two chicken or vegetable bouillon cubes are dissolved in the boiling water.
What is the salt measurement for this dish?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
Is this considered a healthy recipe?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy meal featuring fresh vegetables and lean protein.
What kind of pepper should I use?
Ground black pepper is added to the dish to taste.
Do I need to cook the chicken?
No, the recipe uses pre-cooked oven-roasted deli chicken that is simply heated through with the pasta.
How should I store leftovers?
Allow the salad to cool and store it in a container in the refrigerator.
Is this a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is a complete and satisfying one-dish Mediterranean meal.
What size should the chicken pieces be?
The chicken should be shredded or chopped into bite-sized pieces for easy eating.
Should the orzo be drained after boiling?
Yes, the orzo should be drained in a colander before being returned to the pot for mixing.
Can I make this dish vegetarian?
Yes, you can make it vegetarian by using vegetable bouillon and omitting the chicken.
What is the first step in making this salad?
The first step is to bring water to a boil and dissolve the bouillon cubes.
What gives the salad its Mediterranean flavor?
The combination of feta cheese, kalamata olives, olive oil, and tomatoes provides its Mediterranean profile.
Can I use rotisserie chicken for this?
Yes, rotisserie chicken is an excellent and convenient choice for this recipe.