This EASY Pesto Chicken Salad with Orzo is the perfect quick lunch or light dinner recipe for busy families! Made with tender chopped chicken, soft orzo pasta, peppery arugula, juicy grape tomatoes, creamy mozzarella pearls and flavorful pesto, this healthy pasta salad is packed with bright and fresh flavors your whole family will love!
I love all things chicken and salad! It could be traditional chicken salad or just a salad with chicken in it. Any way it’s served, I will love it! And I love coming up with new variations. This chicken salad with pesto and orzo pasta is my new love. The flavors are so bright and refreshing. The orzo makes it a little more filling than a simple dinner salad, but it’s still such a light and healthy dish. I love enjoying it cold either as a lunch or light dinner on hot summer days!
Why I LOVE this recipe!
- Light and refreshing – There’s something about the combination of basil pesto, tomatoes and mozzarella that’s so bright and refreshing to me.
- Simple ingredients – There’s nothing complex about this common ingredients list or the recipe.
- Comes together fast – Six ingredients are all it takes to pull this delicious salad together. The most time consuming step is cooking your orzo.
- Crowd pleaser – In my opinion, pesto is such a universally loved ingredient that can pull so many dishes together to please even the pickiest eaters.
Recipe Notes
This Pesto Chicken Salad with Orzo recipe is as simple as promised! Just 6 ingredients is all you’ll need for a family friendly dinner.
In this section I am going to go through a few tips and tricks I use for how to make this pesto orzo chicken salad to get the absolute best and most delicious results.
Make sure to scroll to the bottom for the FULL recipe card.
Ingredients + Substitutions
- Orzo– You’ll need a 16 oz box
- Arugula – I LOVE arugula! It’s probably my favorite green! However, I realize the peppery flavor is not for everyone. If you prefer a different green, I would suggest fresh spinach or baby kale.
- Chicken – I usually use rotisserie chicken or leftover neutrally flavored chicken. If you don’t have any chicken on hand, you can bake your own chicken breasts or tenders.
- Grape tomatoes – Cherry tomatoes also work well!
- Mozzarella pearls – If you’ve never had these before, get ready! They are tiny, bite-size balls of fresh mozzarella cheese.
- Pesto – Choose your favorite brand
Make sure to see the recipe card at the bottom of this post for the full quantities and ingredients list.
Recipe Variations
If you love this recipe as much as we do and want some quick ways to change it up for variety, these little tips will do the trick!
- Lemony Chicken– Lemon is a very complimentary flavor to this salad. Instead of using unflavored chicken, consider making lemon pepper chicken tenders to brighten the chicken in the salad.
- Pesto Chicken Salad with Balsamic Drizzle– I LOVE the combination of pesto, mozzarella, tomatoes and balsamic vinegar. Think “bruschetta”! You can add the sweet & tangy flavor of balsamic by lightly drizzling a balsamic reduction over the top once you’ve finished making your salad!
- Pesto Pesto Chicken Salad– If you’re a pesto lover like I am, you can easily add more pesto flavor into this salad. Combine the mozzarella pearls and a spoonful of pesto into a small bowl and stir to blend together which will infuse the pesto flavor into the mozzarella. You can do the same with your chopped chicken. Warm a spoonful or two of pesto in the microwave for about 15 seconds to thin in out, then combine it with your chopped chicken and stir to coat.
Recipe Step by Step
I am going to highlight a few key steps in the recipe here, but make sure to jump down to the recipe card for comprehensive instructions on how to make Pesto Chicken Salad with Orzo.
Cook orzo per package directions. Once done, drain then run under cool water and drain again. Transfer to a large bowl and add chicken.
Add the arugula, tomatoes and mozzarella to the bowl.
Add the pesto then toss until everything is evenly distributed and coated with basil pesto.
You can serve immediately or chill to serve a cold salad.
Recipe Tips
- Enjoy it your way – This salad is so perfect because it can be enjoyed immediately, warmed or cold! Truly, however you prefer!
- Drain mozzarella pearls – Mozzarella pearls come in a container of liquid (brine). To keep your salad from becoming watery, take the pearls out of the liquid and place them in a strainer for a few minutes before tossing them into the salad. You can also lay them on a paper towel and gently pat dry.
- Cool the orzo – After you’ve cooked the orzo, be sure to rinse it and then immediately run it under cool water. This will stop the cooking process, which will keep it from becoming gummy and clumpy.
Recipe Short Cuts
If you need to make this recipe, but are extra short on time, here are a few ideas that can help make this recipe even faster!
- Make in advance – Since this salad is delicious served cold, you can make it up to two days in advance. Just pull it out when you’re ready to serve and you’re good to go!
- Rotisserie chicken – Rotisserie chicken is always my go-to when I need already cooked chicken for a recipe. It’s tender, juicy and saves me time!
- Prep a little – If you want to serve your salad immediately after making it, but know you’ll be a little short on time, go ahead and prep the ingredients separately. You can slice the grape tomatoes, cook the orzo and measure out the pesto and mozzarella pearls. When you’re ready to serve, just combine all in a bowl with arugula.
Freezer Meal Instructions
This salad, once combined, won’t freeze well. After thawing, the arugula would be wilted, tomatoes mushy and mozzarella crumbly and watery. However, I love to keep chopped rotisserie chicken in the freezer so I can easily pull it out and thaw for a meal like this. Pesto can also be frozen and thaws well!
What to Serve with Pesto Chicken Orzo Salad
Since this protein based dinner has the delicious flavors of bright, Italian-style meals, it will pair well with many of your favorite light side dishes.
Choose one or several of these side dishes to create a wholesome, well-rounded dinner. There are both classic options and some healthy options to keep it light.
Side Dish Ideas
- Herb Roasted Potatoes
- Garlic Bread
- Garlic Roasted Vegetables
- Honey Whipped Feta Dip served with naan, pita chips or veggies- Reader favorite!
- Spinach Feta Puff Pastry Spirals
Pesto Chicken Salad Leftovers
If you have leftovers after making this recipe, then it is your lucky day! They save well, and can make the start of another delicious dish.
To save leftovers, separate into meal sized portions and then place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Leftover Recipes
Here are a few ways to repurpose those leftovers and give them a delicious makeover!
- Pesto Chicken Salad Lettuce Wrap– Wash and dry Bibb lettuce. Top with your leftover chicken salad and enjoy!
- Pesto Chicken Salad Pita– Add a layer of pesto or hummus into a pita pocket then fill with chicken salad.
- Chicken Salad Flatbread– Smear a thin layer of pesto onto flatbread. Warm in the oven for 5 minutes. Top with your leftover chicken salad, then warm for another 5 minutes. Top with a drizzle of balsamic reduction.
Recipe FAQ’s
What is orzo?
Orzo is a small, short-cut pasta that is shaped like a large grain of rice. It cooks quickly and is incredibly versatile.
Do pesto and orzo work well together?
Yes! Orzo is fantastic with pesto! The small pasta has a great texture that holds onto sauce beautifully. It acts like a sponge, ensuring every bite is coated with the flavorful pesto.
Why do I need to run the cooked orzo under cool water?
The cold water instantly stops the cooking process so it doesn’t cook past al dente. It also removes excess starch, which will keep your orzo from becoming gummy and will prevent the grains from clumping together. Once rinsed, the orzo will now absorb the pesto more evenly.
More EASY Chicken Salad Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, I really hope you will take a moment to grab a few more easy recipes for another busy night!
You can check out all of my easy chicken salad recipes here, or see a few of our readers favorite recipes below.
- Fiesta Chicken Salad
- Million Dollar Chicken Salad
- Thai Style Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing
- Cranberry Pecan Chicken Salad
- Green Goddess Salad with Parmesan Chicken
- Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad
Pesto Chicken Salad with Orzo
Ingredients
- 1 pound orzo
- 4 cups arugula
- 3 cups chopped chicken
- 8 ounces grape tomatoes, halved
- 4 ounces mozzarella pearls
- 1 cup pesto, prepared
Instructions
- Cook orzo per package instructions.
- Once done, drain, then run orzo under cool water, and drain again. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Add the arugula, chicken, tomatoes, mozzarella, and pesto to the bowl. Toss until everything is evenly distributed and coated with pesto.
- You can serve immediately or chill for up to 2 days and serve.
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