This delicious but simple orzo salad with feta, asparagus and chickpeas goes perfectly as a side with chicken, fish, or steak.
The perfect recipe for lonely cans of chickpeas!
If you’re anything like me you have random cans of things hiding at the back of your cupboard.
They may have been there for a few months, or a few years! (don’t worry, we all do it!)
This is a perfect salad for using up any random cans of chickpeas you have hiding out there.
My usual solution for using up chickpeas is hummus of course, with some delicious and quick homemade flatbread. But if I’m looking for party style food, or a different kind of side to go with meat or fish, this Mediterranean style orzo salad with feta and a few other lovelies is perfect.
Ingredients in this orzo salad
I keep this salad fairly simple, making the star of the show some lovely griddled asparagus. If asparagus isn’t in season then feel free to substitute with something else: fresh sweet peas, broccoli, snow peas, or something else lovely, sweet and green.
I also like to add some sweet cherry tomatoes, halved, cubes of feta cheese, those back-of-the-cupboard chickpeas, loads of fresh basil leaves, and finally the cooked orzo pasta.
Erm… wait a minute… what is orzo?
If you’re not familiar with orzo, it’s like rice-shaped pasta and available from big supermarkets here in the UK. In the US it’s sometimes called risoni.
What about the dressing?
The icing on the cake is of course the dressing. Again I keep it simple, combining just:
- olive oil
- balsamic vinegar
- a little bit of Dijon mustard
- pepper
I don’t add any extra salt because there’s plenty of that in the feta.
I add about half the dressing to the orzo salad (enough for about 6 as a side dish with chicken, fish or steak, for example).
Another option would be to take this along to a pot luck. It would definitely serve a crowd if everyone was just having a little bit.
Then I leave the rest of the dressing for everyone i.e. just me and Mr. Scrummy to drizzle over their own portion.
P.S. If you like the sound of this salad, you may also enjoy this orzo salad with pesto. It makes an excellent spring or summer side dish!
Got lots of leftover orzo? Check out this list of 38 orzo recipes for one pan dinners, salads, soups and more (all with orzo, of course!).
More quick and easy party food
- Greek filo parcels with tzatziki
- crispy mushroom filo triangles
- supermarket copycat pesto and cheese twists
- 10-minute fresh tomato salsa
- mini feta cheese triangles
- The best easy zucchini fries!
Or see all my easy party food here
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Asparagus, tomato and chickpea orzo salad
Ingredients (UK/Australia? Click below for grams/ml)
for the salad
- 7 ounces orzo pasta (sometimes called risoni)
- 1 bunch asparagus woody ends removed
- 7 ounces cherry tomatoes cut into halves or thirds
- 7 ounces feta cheese chopped into small cubes
- 1 bunch basil roughly chopped
- 14 ounces chickpeas drained (1 x 14-ounce / 400 gram can)
for the dressing
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1.5 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- black pepper a few grinds
Instructions
- Cook the orzo according to the packet instructions. Drain and rinse in cold water, then add to a large bowl.
- Meanwhile, prepare the asparagus. Griddle or pan fry in a tiny bit of olive oil until tender and slightly charred (about 10 minutes). Chop into small lengths (a few centimetres each). Let cool for a few minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
- Add the tomatoes, feta, asparagus pieces and basil to the large bowl of orzo with the drained chickpeas / garbanzo beans.
- Whisk the dressing ingredients together, then pour over the salad (to taste – you might like to start with just half and see how you like it*)
- Serve with chicken, fish, steak, or whatever you like, and fresh crusty bread. Delicious!
Paula Gittins says
Made this tonight with tuna steak and new potatoes
Really nice fresh flavours, will definitely be added to the family menus
Helen says
Thank you so much for the review, Paula. The way you served it sounds delicious!
Dana DeVolk says
I LOVE Orzo, can’t wait to try this recipe!
Helen says
So pleased you’re keen to try it, Dana. Thank you!
Joanie Zisk says
I absolutely love orzo salads and the flavors in this dish are incredible! It’s healthy, delicious and was the perfect main dish meal.
Helen says
Hi Joanie! I’m so happy you enjoyed this. It makes such a great Spring side, doesn’t it?
Lorraine @Not Quite Nigella says
Wow 4 months already? And how exciting that you are coming back to Australia! 😀
Helen says
I know!!! (on both counts!) 🙂
mira says
I love orzo, I prefer it to any other pasta. This looks so delicious. Love the vegetables that you added, Pinning to try it!
Helen says
Thanks Mira. There’s something about the texture of the orzo that I really like (al dente of course). Glad you like it!
[email protected] says
I made an orzo salad too this week, It is so good in salads. This salad is the perfect use of orzo and wonderful spring vegetables. Good luck with the move, thats a big one.
Helen says
Great minds…!
And thanks so much for the good wishes on the move. It would be a challenge anyway of course, but it’s extremely interesting, let’s say, with a 4-month-old!
ann says
Sounds like a great salad…all of the ingredients are lurking in the cupboard/fridge so could be on my table real soon. Thank you.
Good luck with your move to Oz, what a very wise Ping Pong Pom.
Helen says
Thanks, Ann! It’s certainly been a challenge packing up with a 4-month-old in the house.
I really hope you do get around to trying the salad some time. It’s my current favourite!
Marissa says
How can Benjamin be 4 months old!? So happy for you and Mr. Scrummy, Helen…
This weekend is a 3-day Memorial Day celebration in the US and this is perfect for picnics. What a gorgeous combination of flavors and hearty enough to be a meal on its own.
Helen says
Thanks so much, Marissa. We’re thrilled with our little man, even though life is forever changed!!