This Easy Winter Orzo Salad makes a quick lunch or a great dish to bring to a winter potluck. It’s simple to make with fresh winter produce, shredded chicken and a lemony dressing. A comforting, yet refreshing winter salad, perfect for those on a gluten free, Paleo or AIP diet.
It’s the middle of winter and I’m craving a classic orzo salad. Sadly, classic orzo salad tends to require fresh spring produce. And in the middle of winter, most spring produce is far from fresh (having been trucked in from thousands of miles away, where it’s sunny and warm). So why not mix it up and make a winter version of orzo salad with fresh winter produce? Let’s give it a shot!
this recipe!
How to make this Easy Winter Orzo Salad
Ingredients
For the Winter Orzo Salad:
- 8 oz package Jovial cassava orzo
- 2 large leaves rainbow chard, thinly sliced
- 1 large carrot, shredded
- 1 small shallot, thinly sliced (about 1/4 cup)
- 1 lb pre-cooked shredded chicken
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries (be sure to check ingredients for AIP compliance)
For the dressing:
- 1 large lemon, juiced (about 1/4 cup)
- 2 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp sea salt, to taste
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Directions
Begin by cooking the cassava orzo according to package directions.
While the orzo cooks, wash and prep the chard, carrot and shallot. Add the sliced chard, shredded carrot, sliced shallot, shredded chicken and dried cranberries to a large mixing bowl.
Add dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine.
When the orzo is finished cooking, drain and add it to the large bowl along with the other ingredients. Pour the dressing over everything and toss to combine. Add extra sea salt to taste. Enjoy!
This pasta salad is best served immediately, or chilled slightly, but will save in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. No need to reheat. It’s perfect right out of the fridge!
Other recipes to try
Looking for more easy recipes to make this winter? Try these!
AIP Crock Pot Butternut Squash Chicken & Pasta
Warm Kale Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash (AIP)
Easy Winter Fruit Salad (AIP, Paleo, Whole30)
If you enjoyed this Easy Winter Orzo Salad, I would love it if you would leave a star rating and review! And be sure to snap a photo of it and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @hurriedhealthnut and hashtagging it #hurriedhealthnut.
Print
Easy Winter Orzo Salad (Gluten Free, Paleo & AIP)
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Easy Winter Orzo Salad makes a quick and easy lunch or a great dish to bring to a winter potluck. It’s simple to make with fresh winter produce, shredded chicken and a lemony dressing. A comforting, yet refreshing winter salad, perfect for those on a gluten free, Paleo or AIP diet.
Ingredients
For the Winter Orzo Salad:
- 8 oz package Jovial cassava orzo
- 2 large leaves rainbow chard, thinly sliced
- 1 large carrot, shredded
- 1 small shallot, thinly sliced (about 1/4 cup)
- 1 lb pre-cooked shredded chicken
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries (be sure to check ingredients for AIP compliance)
For the dressing:
- 1 large lemon, juiced (about 1/4 cup)
- 2 tsp honey
- 1/2 tsp sea salt, to taste
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Begin by cooking the cassava orzo according to package directions.
- While the orzo cooks, wash and prep the chard, carrot and shallot. Add the sliced chard, shredded carrot, sliced shallot, shredded chicken and dried cranberries to a large mixing bowl.
- Add dressing ingredients to a small bowl and whisk to combine.
- When the orzo is finished cooking, drain and add it to the large bowl along with the other ingredients. Pour the dressing over everything and toss to combine. Add extra sea salt to taste. Enjoy!
Equipment
mixing bowls
Buy Now →
sauce pans
Buy Now →
cutting board
Buy Now →
chef’s knife
Buy Now →Notes
This pasta salad is best served immediately, or chilled slightly, but will save in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 3 days. No need to reheat. It’s perfect right out of the fridge!
All nutrition information is an estimate, only, based on an online nutrition calculator.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6th of recipe
- Calories: 541
- Fat: 13.2g
- Carbohydrates: 36.1g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 20.5g
Keywords: winter, orzo, salad, chicken, easy, quick, aip, paleo, gluten free
1 Comment
Swati
February 3, 2022 at 9:08 amI definitely try this salad. Thanku for sharing easy winter orzo salad.
★★★★★