During the summer months, I love eating grain salads. They are a great way to use up whatever ingredients you have on hand. Since they can be eaten at room temperature or cold, they make great packed lunches for work or picnics. This particular salad was inspired by leftover rotisserie chicken and a bounty of fresh tomatoes and basil.
Tomato, Basil & Chicken Orzo Salad
Serves 2 or 3
2/3 cup whole wheat orzo* pasta**
1 cooked chicken breast, chopped
1 large tomato, chopped
1/3 cup mini fresh mozzarella balls, drained
1/2 loosely packed basil, torn
1 tsp crushed garlic
1 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil
sea salt and pepper, to taste
Boil the pasta according to package directions until al dente and drain. Lightly toss the hot pasta with the vinegar and garlic then add the oil, salt and pepper and toss again. Stir in the chicken, tomatoes and the basil. Set aside until the mixture is at room temperature. Add in the mozzarella and taste for salt and pepper and season accordingly. Serve right away or store in the refrigerator until well chilled.
*Whole wheat orzo can be hard to find; I buy it at The Fresh Market or online. If you prefer, just use any small shaped pasta.
**This recipe is not gluten free but easily made gluten free with a brown rice pasta.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Whewwwww—this is right up my alley!!! I cannot wait to try this. PLUS–there are not that many ingredients. That means cheaper for me= happy Madison!
Looks delicious! I LOVE Orzo. I have been trying to find it around here but it seems to have vanished…I have a unch of wheatberries though so might try this with those!
Christie, this looks amazing! I can’t wait to make it
Wow this looks SO good!!!! I need to try this sometime!
Oh, this HAS to be made soon! Love the fresh and simple ingredients! I wonder if it would also work with barley, or bulgur!
Wheat orzo is very hard to find and super expensive, but I love it! Orzo is somehow more fun than any old pasta.
This looks very refreshing and summer-y!
Wheatberries would be awesome!