This Lemon Orzo Salad is made with risoni / orzo, tossed through with the fixings of a Greek salad then drizzled with a bright zesty lemon vinaigrette. Serve it with a simple piece of grilled protein – or go all out and use a Greek yoghurt marinated chicken or Souvlaki!
Greek Lemon Orzo Salad (Risoni)
I was going to post a cozy recipe today but it’s a stinking hot day here in Sydney (sorry to rub it in if you’re suffering through winter! 😉 ) and I literally can’t look at a big steaming pot of comfort food to even write up a recipe. So I’m saving it for next week when the weather cools down!
I know it was only last Monday when I posted One Pot Italian Chicken with Risoni (PS Risoni in Australia = Orzo in much of the rest of the world) but I wanted to use up the leftover risoni. I had planned to make a Greek Salad and on a whim, decided to change it up a bit by adding risoni and switching to a slightly thicker dressing. Liked it so much that I went and got another packet of risoni so I could make it again to photograph it.
Now I have more leftover risoni. 🤷🏻♀️ The vicious cycle of life as a food blogger. #FirstWorldProblems
What is risoni?
Risoni is little rice shaped pasta which I adore because a) there is such a high dressing / sauce to pasta ratio compared to other larger pastas and b) it can be eaten with a spoon. What is it about non-soup food that can be eaten with a spoon that makes it so enjoyable? Oh wait – is it just me?
I do note that despite this chatter about you can shovel this down with a spoon, I’ve shot this with a fork. 🙄 Because I added a side of chicken. And in all honesty, 2 seconds after I took this shot, I shoved the chicken to the side, took a small unsatisfying scoop with the fork, then switched straight over to a spoon so I could get a proper mouthful. 😂
This Lemon Orzo Salad is sort of a Greek Salad with orzo added. I say “sort of” because Greek Salad is dressed with a simple dressing made with just red wine vinegar and olive oil. No thickener – you don’t need it when you have chunks of tomato to soak up the dressing.
However, in this case, I decided to use a lemon vinaigrette thickened slightly with mustard so it clings to the little pieces of risoni better. Also, the bright zesty flavour of lemon adds so much to the flavour.
I served this with Greek Yoghurt marinated chicken using my Gyros recipe. If you’ve never tried yoghurt marinated chicken before, you’re missing out! Yoghurt is a sensational secret for flavour and tenderising meat. It’s safer than acids like lemon and vinegar (which can turn meat to mush if over marinated), infuses with more flavour and the chicken comes out beautifully tender.
I have to stop talking about chicken. This post is about the SALAD! And if you try it, tell me what you toss into it! – Nagi x
PS This would also be spectacular dressed with Honey Mustard Dressing, French Vinaigrette or Italian Dressing. Especially the Honey Mustard because it’s so thick, it will make this really indulgent!
PPS Rather than making a separate marinade for the chicken, a time saving tip is to double the dressing recipe and use half to marinate the chicken. If you cut into strips or pound to make it thin, then it only needs 20 minutes or so.
More risoni / orzo recipes
-
One Pot Italian Chicken Orzo / Risoni Pasta – cosy, saucy one pot chicken and risoni dinner
-
Orzo / Risoni Bolognaise – one pot bolognese pasta dish!
-
Creamy Salmon Risoni / Orzo (15 Minute Meal) – tastes like risotto, except MUCH faster to make!
-
Creamy Mushroom and Spinach Orzo (Risoni) (One Pot) – tastes like a creamy mushroom risotto
-
Baked Greek Chicken Orzo (Risoni) – Greek chicken AND orzo made in one pot!
-
One Pot Creamy Chicken, Vegetable & Parmesan Orzo (Risoni) – creamy chicken and vegetable orzo, a quick 20 minute meal
-
Pea, Zucchini and Pesto Orzo / Risoni – a wonderful quick side dish
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Greek Lemon Orzo Salad (Risoni)
Ingredients
- 1 cup / 200 g risoni / orzo pasta
- 350 g / 12 oz cherry tomatoes , halved (or 2 large tomatoes)
- 2 Lebanese / Persian cucumbers , diced
- 150 g / 5 oz firm feta , cut into 1/2cm/ 1/2" cubes
- 1/4 - 1/2 red onion , cut into wedges and sliced thinly
- 1 green capsicum/bell pepper , cut into 3 cm / 2.25" strips (Note 1)
- 150 g / 5 oz whole black olives , seed in (adjust qty to taste)
- 1 1/2 tsp dried oregano
Dressing
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 5 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (or other mild mustard)
- 1 garlic clove , minced
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Black pepper
Instructions
- Place Dressing ingredients in a jar and shake well. Set aside for 10+ minutes.
- Cook orzo / risoni per packet directions. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop them cooking further. Drain well.
- Place orzo and remaining Salad ingredients in a bowl. Drizzle with dressing and toss gently to coat. Serve!
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
Attempt to keep him cool…. He hasn’t quite figured out this whole baby pool thing yet…..
Absolutely the BEST salad ever! Wonderful whether you’re Vegetarian or not. We add avocado when it’s in season – just gorgeous! Thank you, Nagi!
Hi Nagi, I made this salad tonight for my Mom and I and we ate the whole thing! It was delicious and so easy to put together. Wonderful flavour and very, very scrumptious!
Thanks so much for such great recipes! I love your site.
Yup!
We are 3 for 3 Nagi!!
Served this up on a cold New England night b/c we were pining for summer flavors. PERFECT! Added the chicken gyro thighs carved up nice and made it a meal. You rule!
I’m Gluten free, what type of rice would you recommend to replace of the orzo??
I added a tin of chickpeas. Yum!
Perfect Eloise! N x
Love this salad.
I added the green capsicum but next time I’ll add less.
I realised, I don’t love green capsicum.
Thank you
My daughters made this as a side for our Mediterranean birthday feast and it was a huge hit! I love that your recipes are laid out so easy that my kids can make them while I work on other stuff! Yet they’re still super high quality deliciousness! Thank you for all you do!
Made this last night and had it with your Greek chicken gyros and Dutch oven bread, absolutely fabulous 😊
Made this a week ago to serve with grilled prawns. Wonderful! Having again tonight with the gyro chicken. I slightly cooked the red bell pepper this time along with some squash from the garden. We loved it leftover so made it early so the flavors can blend throughout the day while the chicken is marinating. Adding the tomatoes and some avocado when I serve. Thanks – another great recipe!!!
Just adding to my prior comment. SO GOOD with the gyro chicken. Had for dinner 2 nights and my husband just finished the final serving for his lunch. Great meal to make ahead for guests. Thank you!!!
Dear Nagi, this was an absolute hit with the family! Your recipes are always delicious! Thank you!
Hi Nagi, I’m cooking your Greek Slow Roasted Leg of lamb. Just wondering if this Orzo salad is going to be lemony considering there’s lemon in the gravy for the lamb. Any suggestions please?
Hi Julie, you can always cut back on the amount of lemon so it’s not too overwhelming – N x
I sourced some italian made gluten free/egg free risoni and made this for a family bbq – it was another salad hit!
These look absolutely delicious! You have amazing food photography too :] As much as I know my girls will love these, I know I will too!
Thanks so much Lula ❤️
Nagi, One!!!! million thanks for the Greek Lemon Orzo salad. You should bottle the dressing for this recipe! Its a perfect substitute for the “yucky” mayo that people use in the US on chicken and tuna salad. Thank you for all your recipes – all the ones I’ve tried are magnificent.
Thanks so much for the great feedback Melissa!
Another incredibly delicious recipe from recipetineats! My guests and family loved this and are begging me to make it again tonight. I included the chicken marinated in yogurt and it was so scrumptious and fresh and delightful- especially here in 115° F Phoenix.
Pleased to hear you enjoyed it Dawn, thanks for letting me know! N xx
Hi Nagi, I love Doze picture in this tiny pool! This salad is my favorite salad to make for a big crowd because it is easy and can be done ahead a time. Usually, I do it with grilled shrimp, but I really like our clever idea using the same dressing as a marinade for the chicken for a whole Greek experience.
Doesn’t he look RIDICULOUS!?? ?
I made this for friends over the weekend with your Greek Gyro’s Chicken and it was a complete hit. Love new and different salad recipes. Keep em coming Nagi!!!!
Woo hoo! I’m glad to hear you enjoyed this, thanks for letting me know Lisa! N xx
This is FLAWLESS! I am completely obsessed with this. Every. Single. Ingredient. I am addicted to olives & tomatoes. The flavours & the freshness. I skipped the green pepper too.
Hey! I bet your marinated feta would be good in this too! Mmmmmm. Thank you so much Nagi.
OMG what a GREAT idea Josie! I am so glad you enjoyed this, I love it! It’s so refreshing. But wait – isn’t it super cooooold over there???? N xx
It is cold here, yes. I live in a unique region that gets what we call a “chinook”. It’s a First Nations term for what science calls a “fohn wind”. It is a warm wind that is so strong it can “eat” 30 cm of snow in one day. The record holding temperature change, in one day, was from -48 to +9 (celcius).
So, yes it gets cold here. Yesterday was 11C though. Which is REALLY warm for a January day on the Canadian prairies!! Our chinook is leaving though, temperatures are set to plunge again starting today.
I guess I still cook meals like this occasionally during the winter to remind myself that spring is coming!
Yum!!! This is so delicious. Thank you for a lovely simple recipe to make that is so refreshing and full of flavour.
Awesome! Thanks for trying my recipe Jodie, so glad you enjoyed it! N x
Hello Nagi, Dorza needs Biger Bath and i need Biger salad That’s ALL am eating. Love your mango post, beautiful Family. Photos Are picture perfect. SORRY DO NOT AND CAN NOT BELIEVE DOZER EATING MANGO….!! YOU did Not put any vodika on IT, ha, haaa! Regards Vera.
BA HA HA!!! Dozer LOVES mango! And NO of course there is no vodka on it! ? N xx PS Yes Dozer does need a bigger bath….bigger everything. I need a bigger car, bigger bed for him…the list goes ON!