Greek Orzo Salad

This High Protein Greek Orzo Salad is a vibrant and nutritious dish packed with flavor and texture, perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Featuring protein-rich ingredients like chickpeas and feta, it's a delightful way to enjoy the tastes of Greece while staying healthy.

Ingredients

• Orzo pasta - 100 grams
• Canned chickpeas - 100 grams, drained and rinsed
• Cherry tomatoes - 150 grams, halved
• Cucumber - 1 medium, diced
• Red onion - 1 small, finely chopped
• Feta cheese - 50 grams, crumbled
• Kalamata olives - 50 grams, pitted and sliced
• Fresh parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Olive oil - 3 tablespoons
• Red wine vinegar - 1 tablespoon
• Dried oregano - 1 teaspoon
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste

Steps

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the orzo pasta according to package instructions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes.
2. While the orzo is cooking, prepare the vegetables by chopping the cucumber, halving the cherry tomatoes, and finely chopping the red onion.
3. In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and parsley.
4. Once the orzo is cooked, drain and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process, then add it to the bowl with the vegetables.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to create the dressing.
6. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine all the ingredients evenly.
7. Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 18 g
• Carbs: 55 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Cholesterol: 25 mg
• Total Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Water: 0.2 L

Health Benefits

• High in protein from chickpeas and feta, supporting muscle health.
• Rich in fiber from vegetables and chickpeas, promoting digestive health.

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