Pesto Chicken Salad with Orzo
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!
Servings: 8 Servings
Calories: 437kcal
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.
Notes
You can eat this salad room temperature, warm, or cold. It is good at every temp!
I usually use rotisserie chicken, or leftover neutrally flavored chicken. If you don't have any chicken on hand, you can bake chicken breast or tenderloin sprinkled with lemon pepper seasoning and use with this salad and it is extra delicious!
Nutrition
Calories: 437kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 373mg | Potassium: 439mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1115IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 134mg | Iron: 1mg