Since Chris is travelling, I decided to try a new recipe.  My aunt showed me this one and I've been wanting to try it.  It's basically a chicken pasta salad and he hates those dishes, especially those made with mayonaise.  Seriously, how can anyone not like pasta salads?  And this isn't even made with mayo, but your own dressing.

What helps to make to this recipe easy is the fact it uses rotisserie chicken.  The dog and cat both wanted a taste while I was deboning it. they love food like that.  And of course, I caved and gave them a taste.

Lemony Orzo-Veggie Salad with Chicken

• 3/4 cup uncooked orzo
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• 1/4 teaspoon grated lemon rind
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• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
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• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
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• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
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• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
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• 1/4 teaspoon honey
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• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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• 1 cup shredded skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken breast
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• 1/2 cup diced English cucumber
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• 1/2 cup prechopped red bell pepper
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• 1/3 cup thinly sliced green onions
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• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
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• 1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled goat cheese

Step 1

Cook orzo according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain and rinse with cold water; drain and place in a large bowl.

Step 2

While orzo cooks, combine lemon rind and next 6 ingredients (through black pepper), stirring well with a whisk. Drizzle juice mixture over orzo; toss to coat. Add chicken and next 4 ingredients (through dill); toss gently to combine. Sprinkle with cheese.

One thing I would do is to make more of the dressing.  I put it together and ate it a couple hours later, and there wasn't much dressing left since it asorbed into the orzo.  I wouldl make 1 1/2 times the recipe and add some immediately, but reserve some for when you serve it.  

I also didn't have any fresh dill or goat cheese.  My substitutions was Penzey's Greek seasoning and feta cheese.  Since I didn't know what the original recipe tasted like, I liked it this way.

The original recipe was found on myrecipes.com.  You can find the original recipe here.

Until next time...Stampin' Always,

Cheryl, HomeStyle Stamper