Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad

Here’s an easy, flavor-packed dish you can take to a picnic, take to a tailgate, take to a party—or place on your dining room table for a casual dinner for 4 to 5. Not much cooking required. Just some simple ingredients to stir together with a lemon-fresh dressing. I think you’ll like both the taste and the preparation.

Serves 4-5

Ingredients

• 5 tbsp olive oil, divided, plus more for brushing grill pan and serving
• 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, divided
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 2-3 parsley sprigs
• 3/4 lb chicken tenders (6-7)
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup orzo
• 12 black and green olives, pitted and halved (quartered, if large)
• 6 grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup baby spinach, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced assorted red, green, and orange bell pepper
• 2 tbsp thinly sliced red onion
• 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

Prepared Ingredients

Preparation

1. Combine 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, oregano, and parsley sprigs in a heavy, sealable plastic bag. Add the chicken tenders, seal, and turn several times to coat. Refrigerate at least 2 hours (or overnight).
2. Combine 3 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons lemon juice in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper. Set the dressing aside.
3. Cook the orzo according to package directions, then drain and rinse under cool water. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.

Chicken in Marinade

Cooked Orzo

1. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat and brush with oil. Remove the tenders from the marinade, letting excess drip off. Season with salt and pepper and grill until lightly charred and just cooked through, turning once, 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest 10 minutes. Cut into thin pieces.
2. Add the chicken, olives, tomatoes, chickpeas, spinach, bell pepper, and onion to the orzo and stir in the dressing. Season with salt and pepper, as needed. Sprinkle feta over top.

Beginning to Grill

Grilled Tenders

Divide the salad among 4 shallow bowls and drizzle with oil before serving.

Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad