Grilled Chicken Caprese Orzo Salad

This refreshing pasta salad is way better for dinner than as a side with its grilled chicken!

Caprese is one of my all-time favorite food combinations. I don't think I've yet to try a recipe that has tomato, mozzarella, and basil (and sometimes balsamic vinegar) that I haven't liked. This one is great because it's not super heavy with a vinaigrette style dressing with lemon instead of vinegar for that acidity. I replaced agave syrup with honey because it's what I had on hand and is my go-to substitution. I loved that this was grilled chicken. I also absolutely loved that this had mozzarella pearls instead of shredded mozzarella. Mozzarella pearls are just so much better!

What you need:

• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 lb. orzo pasta, cooked
• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved (roasted if desired)
  
• 8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, minced

For the Dressing:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp. dijon mustard
• 1 Tbsp. honey
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
  

Directions:

1. Rub chicken with olive oil and then season with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Grill chicken over medium-high heat for about 5 to 7 minutes on each side until chicken is cooked through. Rest before cutting into bite-sized pieces.
3. In a small bowl, combine dressing ingredients until smooth.
4. In a large bowl, combine chicken with orzo, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. 
5. Pour dressing over the top of the chicken mixture and season with salt and pepper to taste.
   

Recipe from Whole and Heavenly Oven

Another lighter, refreshing pasta salad is this Lemon Orzo Pasta Salad with Chicken and Asparagus from Rumbly in My Tumbly. Not quite so light, but still just as fantastic is this Creamy Chicken Pasta that also has chicken, tomatoes, and orzo in it.

Grilled Chicken Caprese Orzo Salad

Author: Sarah Ellis/Fantastical Sharing of Recipes

Ingredients

• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 lb. orzo pasta, cooked
• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved (roasted if desired)
• 8 oz. fresh mozzarella pearls
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, minced

For the Dressing:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp. dijon mustard
• 1 Tbsp. honey
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Instructions

1. Rub chicken with olive oil and then season with salt and pepper on both sides.
2. Grill chicken over medium-high heat for about 5 to 7 minutes on each side until chicken is cooked through. Rest before cutting into bite-sized pieces.
3. In a small bowl, combine dressing ingredients until smooth.
4. In a large bowl, combine chicken with orzo, tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil.
5. Pour dressing over the top of the chicken mixture and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Notes:

Recipe from Whole and Heavenly Oven

Created using The Recipes Generator