Description
Cowboy Pasta Salad Orzo Delectable is a vibrant and hearty dish that elevates your typical pasta salad with a delightful combination of flavors and textures. Featuring chewy orzo, fresh vegetables, savory chicken, and crispy bacon, this salad offers a colorful presentation that’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, or family gatherings. Easy to prepare and customizable based on seasonal ingredients, it’s a crowd-pleaser that can be made ahead of time for added convenience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups orzo pasta
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- ½ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup bell peppers, diced (any color)
- 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- ½ cup bacon bits
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons vinegar (red wine or apple cider)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs (parsley or cilantro), optional
Instructions
- Cook the orzo in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water.
- While the orzo cooks, chop the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and bell peppers.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked orzo with chopped vegetables and cooked chicken. Stir gently to mix.
- Add crispy bacon bits and stir again to incorporate.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and any optional herbs.
- Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss well before serving.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side dish
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (200g)
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 50mg