Description
A refreshing Orzo & Cranberry Chickpea Salad with Feta & Lemon Oregano Dressing, featuring a delightful mix of savory feta, sweet cranberries, and a zesty homemade dressing. Perfect for meal prep, potlucks, or a light and satisfying lunch!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Salad:
- 1 cup orzo pasta, cooked & cooled
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained & rinsed
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup toasted almonds or walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
For the Lemon Oregano Dressing:
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, honey, Dijon mustard, oregano, garlic, salt, and black pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine cooked orzo, chickpeas, cranberries, feta, cucumber, red onion, nuts, and parsley.
- Toss & Serve: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently until everything is evenly coated. Let the salad sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature and enjoy!
Notes
- Make-Ahead Tip: Prepare the dressing and chop the veggies in advance. Toss everything together when you’re ready to serve.
- Customize It: Swap orzo with quinoa for a gluten-free version, or add grilled chicken for extra protein.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook (after pasta preparation)
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (based on 6 servings)
- Calories: ~320 kcal
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: orzo salad, chickpea salad, cranberry salad, feta salad, lemon oregano dressing