This Chicken Orzo Pasta Salad is the perfect mix of tender, juicy air fryer chicken, creamy mozzarella, fresh summer veggies, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette. It’s a colorful, flavorful pasta salad that works as a hearty main dish or crowd-pleasing side. Whether you serve it warm or chilled, it’s a refreshing and satisfying salad recipe for picnics, potlucks, meal prep, or summer dinners.
Why You Will Love This Chicken Orzo Pasta Salad
- Loaded with Fresh Ingredients: This orzo salad features juicy air fryer chicken breasts, sweet cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and creamy mozzarella pearls.
- Easy Lemon Vinaigrette: The tangy homemade dressing brings everything together with fresh lemon, grainy mustard, golden balsamic vinegar, and garlic.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: This chicken and orzo pasta salad stores well, making it great for weekly lunches or dinner on the go.
- Customizable: Swap the mozzarella, use rotisserie chicken, or add more seasonal veggies like red bell pepper or spinach.
- Quick & Easy: Made with simple pantry staples and fresh herbs, and this chicken orzo pasta salad is ready in about 30 minutes, from start to finish.
- Great as a Side or Main Dish: Serve it alongside grilled meat, or enjoy it on its own for a protein-packed, balanced meal.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Boneless chicken breasts – Substitute with boneless chicken thighs, rotisserie chicken, or leftover grilled chicken.
- Orzo pasta – Can be replaced with ditalini, or small pasta shapes like elbows or farfalle.
- Cherry tomatoes – Swap with grape tomatoes or diced Roma tomatoes.
- English cucumber – Regular cucumber (peeled and seeded) or Persian cucumbers can be used.
- Fresh mozzarella pearls – Diced fresh mozzarella or feta cheese can be substituted.
- Fresh basil & parsley – Replace with dill, mint, or cilantro depending on the flavor profile you prefer.
- Golden Balsamic – Substitute with white wine vinegar or red wine vinegar.
How to Prepare Chicken Orzo Pasta Salad
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
- Pat the chicken breasts dry and brush with 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. Season both sides with your favorite seasoning blend.
- Air fry the chicken for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through. Let rest before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
- While the chicken cooks, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo to al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the ingredients for the lemon vinaigrette.
- In a large bowl, add about half of the dressing. Add the warm, cooked orzo and toss to coat. Let cool for 5 minutes.
- Add the chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, mozzarella pearls, and 3/4 of the fresh herbs to the orzo. Pour in the remaining dressing.
- Toss everything together to coat evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning, if needed.
- Garnish with the remaining herbs before serving.
How to Serve and Store
- Serving Tips:
- Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.
- Great with pita or crusty bread.
- Storing Leftovers:
- Store leftover chicken orzo pasta salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- If dry after refrigeration, add a drizzle of olive oil or a splash of vinegar before serving.
- Not recommended for freezing due to fresh herbs and cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use rotisserie chicken instead? Yes! Rotisserie chicken is a great time-saving option, and works perfectly in this orzo pasta salad.
- What is golden balsamic vinegar? Golden balsamic is a lighter version of traditional balsamic vinegar with a sweeter, more delicate flavor. If you don’t have it, white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar are good alternatives.
- Do I have to use an air fryer? No. Use this method to make juicy chicken using a combination of the stove and oven.
- Can I make this ahead of time? Absolutely. Make it a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Just be sure to give it a stir before serving and refresh with a little extra dressing, if needed.
- Is this good for meal prep? Yes. This recipe keeps well for several days and makes a perfect cold pasta salad lunch or quick dinner.
- Can I add more vegetables? Definitely! Try adding diced bell peppers, red onions, baby spinach, olives or even roasted zucchini or eggplant.
More Orzo Salad Recipes to Love
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Chicken Orzo Pasta Salad
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
Description
This Chicken Orzo Pasta Salad is the perfect mix of tender, juicy chicken, mozzarella, fresh summer veggies, and a zesty lemon vinaigrette.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 12 ounces orzo pasta
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil (for brushing chicken)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 English or hothouse cucumber, diced
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
For the Lemon Vinaigrette:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup golden balsamic vinegar
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 2 teaspoons grainy mustard
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your air fryer to 380°F (193°C).
- Pat the chicken breasts dry and brush with 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil. Season both sides with your favorite seasoning blend.
- Air fry the chicken for 18 minutes, flipping halfway through. Let rest before slicing into bite-sized pieces.
- While the chicken cooks, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo to al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the ingredients for the lemon vinaigrette.
- In a large bowl, add about half of the dressing. Add the warm, cooked orzo and toss to coat. Let cool for 5 minutes.
- Add the chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, mozzarella pearls, and 3/4 of the fresh herbs to the orzo. Pour in the remaining dressing.
- Toss everything together to coat evenly. Taste and adjust seasoning, if needed.
- Garnish with the remaining herbs before serving.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Be sure to cook the orzo just until al dente to avoid mushy texture when mixed with the vinaigrette.
- Use Warm Orzo: Tossing the warm orzo with half the dressing helps it absorb flavor better before cooling.
- Let Chicken Rest: Rest the air-fried chicken for a few minutes before slicing to keep it juicy.
- Chill for Later: This salad is great served warm or chilled. Make ahead and store in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Fresh Herb Tip: Add most of the fresh herbs when mixing, but save a little for garnish to keep it vibrant and fresh-looking.
- Customize It: Feel free to add other vegetables like red bell pepper, red onion, or baby spinach.
- No Air Fryer?: Use this method for making juicy chicken.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Divide into individual containers for grab-and-go lunches.
- Leftover Dressing: If you’d like a lighter salad, start with less dressing and add more to taste before serving.
- Mozzarella Options: If you can’t find mozzarella pearls, cube a fresh mozzarella ball or use crumbled feta for a tangy twist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad, Lunch, Dinner, Meal Prep
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American
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