Orzo Chicken Salad with Avocado-Lime Dressing

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Skip the bottled stuff, and dress this satisfying yet healthy chicken salad with our tangy avocado sauce.

Orzo Chicken Salad with Avocado-Lime Dressing
Photo: Karla Conrad
Prep Time:
30 mins
Chill Time:
2 hrs
Total Time:
2 hrs 30 mins
Servings:
4

Ingredients

  • cup dried whole wheat or regular orzo pasta (3 ounces)

  • 1 cup fresh or frozen whole kernel corn

  • 2 cup shredded or chopped cooked chicken breast

  • 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved

  • ¼ cup snipped fresh cilantro

  • ½ cup crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese (2 ounces)

  • 1 small avocado, seeded, peeled, and cut up

  • cup cold water

  • ½ teaspoon finely shredded lime peel

  • ¼ cup lime juice

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. In a medium saucepan cook orzo according to package directions, adding corn during the last 1 minute of cooking; drain. Rinse with cold water; drain well. Divide orzo evenly among four salad containers. Top evenly with chicken, tomatoes, and cilantro. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover and chill for 2 to 24 hours.

  2. For dressing, in a blender or food processor combine avocado, water, finely shredded lime peel, lime juice, garlic, crushed red pepper, and salt. Cover and blend until smooth. Divide dressing evenly among four small containers. Cover and chill for 2 to 24 hours.

  3. To serve, drizzle one dressing portion over one salad portion. Cover and shake to combine or toss with a fork to combine.

To Take:

To tote, place salad and dressing containers in an insulated bag with an ice pack.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

321 Calories
10g Fat
30g Carbs
30g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 321
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 10g 13%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 65mg 22%
Sodium 439mg 19%
Total Carbohydrate 30g 11%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 30g 60%
Vitamin C 16.5mg 18%
Calcium 90.9mg 7%
Iron 2mg 11%
Potassium 544mg 12%
Folate, total 52.4mcg
Vitamin B-12 0.2mcg
Vitamin B-6 0.7mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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