Pesto Hen Avocado Orzo Salad.

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Pesto Hen Avocado Orzo Salad. Grilled cajun hen tossed along with a creamy, home made thousand island dressing, contemporary romaine lettuce, roasted peppers, and creamy avocado. This orzo is straightforward to toss collectively, tremendous flavorful, filling, and fairly wholesome too. Take pleasure in this for dinner and save the leftovers for lunch. Or serve this up at your subsequent yard dinner with pals.

Pesto Chicken Avocado Orzo Salad | halfbakedharvest.com

Tis the season for orzo salads, pesto hen, and lighter, however nonetheless scrumptious, fast and straightforward recipes. And I’m in love with this one. It’s humorous as a result of this recipe initially began out as a hen membership sandwich. Yep, not even near a salad.

I used to be actually combating the membership sandwich recipe, so after two full days, I made a decision I needed to modify gears. However I liked liked the flavors of the membership sandwich.

Pesto Chicken Avocado Orzo Salad | halfbakedharvest.com

I ended up taking the spicy cajun hen and creamy dressing from the sandwich and utilizing each inside this contemporary orzo salad. And it turned out so significantly better than I may have imagined.

I do know the sound of a thousand island dressing tossed in an orzo salad could hold forth. My mother wasn’t positive about it both. However it’s a must to belief me. It is a home made dressing, in order that makes an enormous distinction. And I feel it’s what makes this orzo salad so particular and scrumptious.

There’s additionally spicy grilled cajun hen, a number of cheddar cheese, pesto, and avocado.

Pesto Chicken Avocado Orzo Salad | halfbakedharvest.com

Listed here are the main points

When making this, I normally start with the cajun. I toss the hen with my cajun seasoning mix, then olive oil and sea salt. Simply 3 elements, however utilizing cajun seasoning is the important thing. It’s a mix of smoky, spicy spices, smoked paprika, chili powder, oregano, thyme, and cayenne. After which I at all times embody onion and garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

One among my favourite seasoning blends!

Pesto Chicken Avocado Orzo Salad | halfbakedharvest.com

Toss the hen with the seasoning, then grill. You may cook dinner this within the oven as effectively.

Whereas the hen cooks, I combine the dressing. You should utilize a store-bought thousand island dressing. However I’ve to say, I do suppose the home made dressing is with the additional effort.

Plus, it’s actually not a lot effort. Simply mayo, ketchup, lemon, scorching sauce, chopped-up pickles (the important thing), paprika, salt, and pepper. Nothing fancy in any respect, however it’s creamy, tangy, perfection.

Pesto Chicken Avocado Orzo Salad | halfbakedharvest.com

For the salad, I toss cooked orzo pasta with basil pesto, then each different ingredient is added on to the orzo. Roasted bell peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, cubes of cheddar cheese, lettuce, after which I throw the avocado and further dressing proper on prime.

You may eat this heat or at room temperature, however I favor heat. The dressing actually sinks into each nook and cranny of this orzo salad. All of us liked it, it’s so yummy!

That is a kind of recipes that you just’ll crave time and time once more.

Pesto Chicken Avocado Orzo Salad | halfbakedharvest.com

Searching for different fast dinners? Listed here are some favorites:

Pesto Hen Tzatziki Salad Wraps

Pesto Hen Caesar Salad with Tomatoes and Burrata

Lemon Parmesan Salmon with Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Salad

Tropical Jerk Grilled Hen with Charred Mango Salsa Verde

Grilled Lemon Herb Hen Avocado Orzo Salad

Lastly, in case you make this Pesto Hen Avocado Orzo Salad, make sure you depart a remark and/or give this recipe a ranking! Above all, I really like to listen to from you guys and at all times do my finest to reply to each remark. And naturally, in case you do make this recipe, don’t neglect to tag me on Instagram! Wanting by the pictures of recipes you all have made is my favourite!

Pesto Hen Avocado Orzo Salad

Prep Time 25 minutes

Prepare dinner Time 15 minutes

Complete Time 40 minutes

Servings: 6

Energy Per Serving: 594 kcal

Dietary data is barely an estimate. The accuracy of the dietary data for any recipe on this web site isn’t assured.

  • 1. In a bowl, toss the hen with olive oil and cajun seasoning. Season with salt and pepper. Set your grill, grill pan, or skillet to medium-high warmth. Grill the hen till calmly charred and cooked by, turning midway by cooking, about 10 to 12 minutes. 2. To make the dressing. Mix all elements in a glass jar and whisk. Style and alter the salt and pepper.3. Deliver a big pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the orzo till al dente, in response to package deal instructions. Drain. Add the orzo to a bowl and toss with the pesto. Add the lettuce and 1/3 of the thousand island dressing. Combine within the hen, roasted peppers, sun-dried tomatoes and cheese. 4. High the pasta with avocado. Drizzle with extra dressing. Serve heat or chilly.

Selfmade Cajun Seasoning: combine 2 1/2 tablespoons smoked paprika, 2 tablespoons garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 tablespoon dried thyme, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper, 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt, and 1 tablespoon black pepper. Makes 3/4 cup. 

Pesto Chicken Avocado Orzo Salad | halfbakedharvest.com