How to Make Chicken Florentine Salad with Orzo Pasta - A Step-by-Step Guide

Chicken Florentine Salad with Orzo Pasta is a light and refreshing dish perfect for a summer lunch or dinner. It combines tender, juicy grilled chicken with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, and orzo pasta, all tossed in a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. The result is a flavorful and satisfying salad that is sure to please the whole family.

The star of this dish is the grilled chicken, which is marinated in a blend of olive oil, garlic, and Italian herbs to infuse it with delicious flavor. The...

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Ingredients

  • 2 cups orzo pasta
  • 2 (10 ounce) packages baby spinach
  • 3 cups chopped grilled chicken
  • 2 roma tomatoes, diced
  • ½ cup pine nuts
  • ¼ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
  • 2 tablespoons capers, or to taste (Optional)
  • 1 cup balsamic vinegar
  • ⅓ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • 2 tablespoons dried parsley
  • 2 teaspoons dried basil
  • 2 cloves garlic, pressed
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, or to taste

Information

  • Prep Time: 30 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 40 mins
  • Servings: 8
  • Yield: 8 servings

  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, 10 to 11 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  • Mix orzo, spinach, chicken, tomatoes, pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes, and capers in a large bowl.
  • Whisk balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sugar, parsley, basil, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper together in a bowl; drizzle over salad. Toss to coat. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over salad.
  • Nutrition

    488 cal.

    • Total Fat: 19g
    • Saturated Fat: 4g
    • Cholesterol: 42mg
    • Sodium: 530mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 54g
    • Dietary Fiber: 4g
    • Total Sugars: 14g
    • Protein: 27g
    • Vitamin C: 24mg
    • Calcium: 145mg
    • Iron: 6mg
    • Potassium: 764mg