Orange Chicken Orzo Salad

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.  #AquafinaSparkling #CollectiveBias

This Orange Chicken Orzo Salad is the perfect warm weather dish and will make a spectacular addition for picnics, beach days or road trips. This is an ideal dish that travels well that can be a meal into itself or simply served as a colorful, tasty side dish.

Summer is almost here and I’m going to share with you how I like to spend my summer holiday… at the beach! The best days of summer are when my husband and I pack a lunch and some drinks, grab our towels, beach umbrella and sunscreen and make a day of relaxing on the warm sand of the beach and taking in the warming Southern California sun.

I like to bring a selection of items to eat like this orange chicken orzo salad along with nibbles like salami, cheese and bread. I took inspiration for this dish from the Aquafina Sparkling orange and grapefruit by choosing to use fresh orange wedges in the salad itself. What is more summery than that cool, clean, refreshing citrus taste?

I love the simplicity of this dish and it is so packed with fresh orange flavor, both in the dressing that is mixed with all the ingredients, as well as the chicken that is cooked in an orange sauce. There are jewels of fresh orange segments mixed throughout the salad for an extra burst of flavor, along with roasted red peppers and spring onions for a pop of flavor as well as vibrance and color.  Once the orzo and chicken are cooked, all the ingredients are mixed together and the salad is done!

You will need something to wash down all this delicious food and I have the perfect thirst-quenching drink, Aquafina Sparkling orange and grapefruit. Their handy 8-pack box of cans is easy to transport and along with being safe to use at the beach, it’s easy to keep them nice and cold.

Watching what I eat and being a non-soda drinker, it is important to me that Aquafina Sparkling is only 1.0 calorie, has 0 sugar and 0 artificial flavors. As well as the orange grapefruit flavor I chose, there are also lemon-lime and they have 2 new flavors, which are mango pineapple and black cherry dragon fruit. You can enjoy these drinks guilt free and are a perfect balance of fun and a hint of flavor. Aquafina Sparkling is a great way to add healthier options to your day.

Aquafina Sparkling can be found in the water aisle of your local Target. Pick some up (along with the ingredients for this recipe) the next time you’re shopping. Also, look for tastings/samplings of Aquafina Sparkling that will be in certain Target stores so you can try before you buy.

Are you familiar with Target Cartwheel? It’s their app that features savings without clipping any coupons. Starting 21st May until 17th June, you can save  25% off any Aquafina Sparkling 8pk flavor. Check that out, click here > savings.

Are you looking forward to the summer as much as I am? Please tell me how you like to enjoy your own warm weather months.

5 from 7 votes

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Orange Chicken Orzo Salad

Chicken is cooked in an orange sauce and served over delicious orzo with red peppers and fresh orange segments.

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Servings 4 people

457 kcal

Ingredients

• For the dressing:
• Juice and zest of 1 orange
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon Olive oil
• For the salad:
• 8 ounces Orzo
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces
• Salt
• Ground black pepper
• Zest and juice of 1 orange
• 1/2 teaspoon corn starch
• Orange segments of 2 oranges
• 6 ounces roasted red peppers, chopped
• 4 spring onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

1. For the dressing:

2. Add the orange juice, zest, honey, white wine vinegar, salt and pepper to a bowl. Pour in the oil while whisking until emulsified. Set aside.

3. For the salad:

4. Add 4-6 quarts of water to a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon salt to the water and add the orzo. Simmer for 9 minutes uncovered and drain.

5. Add the orzo to a large bowl and pour over half of the dressing, mix and set aside.

6. To a heavy skillet add the oil over medium-high heat.

7. Salt and pepper the chicken pieces.

8. When the oil ripples, add the chicken and brown.

9. Mix the zest and juice of 1 orange with the corn starch until dissolved. Add to the pan of chicken and mix well. Cook until thickened and remove from heat.

10. Add the chicken to the orzo to a large bowl along with the orange segments, red peppers and green onions and the rest of the dressing, mix well. Serve warm, room temperature or chilled.

Nutrition Facts

Orange Chicken Orzo Salad

Amount Per Serving

Calories 457 Calories from Fat 99

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 11g 17%

Saturated Fat 4g 20%

Cholesterol 90mg 30%

Sodium 462mg 19%

Potassium 773mg 22%

Total Carbohydrates 47g 16%

Dietary Fiber 3g 12%

Sugars 5g

Protein 38g 76%

Vitamin A 29.9%

Vitamin C 70.6%

Calcium 3.1%

Iron 9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.