Name: Greek Orzo Chicken Salad Recipe / Tasty and Delicious
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil; ¼ cup red wine vinegar; 2 TB lemon juice; 1 TB honey; 1TB Dijon mustard; 1 shallot, chopped; ½ cup chopped herbs, dill, basil, oregano, and/or thyme; kosher salt and black pepper to taste; 1 lb. Boneless skinless chicken tenders (optional)1/3 cup basil pesto2 TB balsamic vinegar1 lb. Dry orzo pasta2 cups feta cheese (crumbled or cut in chunks)2-3 cucumbers (chopped)2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)1 cup pitted kalamata olives¼ cup pepperoncini (chopped & optional)

Greek Orzo Chicken Salad Recipe / Tasty and Delicious

Looking for a delicious summer salad? You’re going to love this Greek orzo chicken salad recipe.

The salad features grilled pesto balsamic chicken, orzo, kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and a variety of fresh herbs, all tossed together in a flavorful dressing.

This salad is delicious AND beautiful with all the bright colorful ingredients. Enjoy it for dinner, serve it at your next cookout, (it will be a big hit), as a side dish, or as a light entree.

It’s a quick and easy recipe to prepare. You can serve it hot or cold.

I love fresh herbs and this is a great opportunity to use fresh herbs from your garden if you have them available.

No worries if you don’t. You can use dried herbs if you want.

Greek Orzo Chicken Salad Dressing Ingredients

2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 TB lemon juice
1 TB honey
1TB Dijon mustard
1 shallot, chopped
½ cup chopped herbs, dill, basil, oregano, and/or thyme
kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Greek Orzo Chicken Salad Ingredients

1 lb. Boneless skinless chicken tenders (optional)
1/3 cup basil pesto
2 TB balsamic vinegar
1 lb. Dry orzo pasta
2 cups feta cheese (crumbled or cut into chunks)
2-3 cucumbers (chopped)
2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
1 cup pitted kalamata olives
¼ cup pepperoncini (chopped & optional)

This Greek orzo chicken salad recipe can be quite interchangeable. Feel free to switch or add other veggies or ingredients as desired.

Other salad ingredient options: black olives, green olives, sliced red onion, and cheddar cheese chunks instead of feta.

Greek Orzo Chicken Salad Instructions

To make the dressing, combine all ingredients in a large salad bowl.

2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 TB lemon juice
1 TB honey
1TB Dijon mustard
1 shallot, chopped
½ cup chopped herbs, dill, basil, oregano, and/or thyme
kosher salt and black pepper to taste

In another bowl, toss 1 lb. raw chicken tenders with pesto and balsamic vinegar.
Set your grill, or skillet to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Chop the chicken up into chunks.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta to al dente. Drain.
Add the hot orzo to the salad bowl full of dressing. Toss, toss!
Add the chicken, 2 cups feta cheese (crumbled or cut in chunks)
2-3 cucumbers (chopped), 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved), 1 cup pitted kalamata olives, ¼ cup pepperoncini (chopped & optional)
Toss well! Serve warm or cold.

The salad will develop more flavor as it sits.

MAKE YOUR OWN DELICIOUS PESTO

I hope you and your family enjoy this as much as I do.

Greek Orzo Chicken Salad Recipe / Tasty and Delicious

Jan Howell

This Greek orzo chicken salad is delicious AND beautiful with all the bright colorful ingredients. Enjoy it for dinner, and serve it at your next cookout, (it will be a big hit), as a side dish, or as a light entree.

Prep Time20 min
Cook Time10 min
Total Time30 min
Yield8

Course
- Main Course
- Salad
Tags

INGREDIENTS

Dressing Ingredients

- 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- 2 TB lemon juice
- 1 TB honey
- 1TB Dijon mustard
- 1 shallot, chopped
- ½ cup chopped herbs, dill, basil, oregano, and/or thyme
- kosher salt and black pepper to taste

Salad Ingredients

- 1 lb. Boneless skinless chicken tenders (optional)
- 1/3 cup basil pesto
- 2 TB balsamic vinegar
- 1 lb. Dry orzo pasta
- 2 cups feta cheese (crumbled or cut in chunks)
- 2-3 cucumbers (chopped)
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1 cup pitted kalamata olives
- ¼ cup pepperoncini (chopped & optional)

INSTUCTIONS

Salad Dressing Instructions

1

To make the dressing, combine all ingredients in a large bowl.

2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

¼ cup red wine vinegar

2 TB lemon juice

1 TB honey

1TB Dijon mustard

1 shallot, chopped

½ cup chopped herbs, dill, basil, oregano, and/or thyme

kosher salt and black pepper to taste in a large salad bowl.

Salad Instructions

2

In another bowl, toss 1 lb. raw chicken tenders with pesto and balsamic vinegar.

3

Set your grill, or skillet to medium-high heat. Grill the chicken until cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Chop the chicken up into chunks.

4

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Boil the pasta to al dente. Drain.

Add the hot orzo to the salad bowl full of dressing. Toss, toss!

5

Add the chicken,

2 cups feta cheese (crumbled or cut in chunks)
2-3 cucumbers (chopped),
2 cups cherry tomatoes (halved),
1 cup pitted kalamata olives,
¼ cup pepperoncini (chopped & optional)

Toss, toss! Serve warm or cold. The salad will develop more flavor as it sits.

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

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Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

Greek Orzo Salad orzo recipes salads

Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix Copycat – No MSG

Do you want the yummy goodness of a tasty Italian Salad Dressing, but don’t want the MSG or added sugar? You’re going to love this copycat Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix recipe.

This mix will not only make a delicious salad dressing, but you can also use it in marinades, dips, casseroles, and whatever recipe you have that calls for an Italian Dressing mix packet.

With only TEN simple ingredients, of which you most likely have already in your pantry, you’ll save money and enjoy a flavorful dressing without the MSG that’s in the store-bought mix.

As far as the sugar goes, I list it in the ingredients with a limited amount. I omit it completely when I make it without any loss in flavor. (Totally up to you).

But as you can see in the photo above, sugar is the number one ingredient in the Good Seasons Italian dressing mix. Not cool, if you’re avoiding sugar. MSG is not listed in the ingredients. However, in most cases, when “spice” is listed, it usually means MSG. You can read more about the issues with MSG HERE.

Most of you already know that any kind of processed food is going to have some downsides. Obviously, the more we can eat unprocessed food, the better. I’m not perfect in this arena, but I do try to eat more whole foods, plant-based diet and I do feel better when I do.

This dressing mix recipe has simple, straight forward ingredients that I think you’ll like. You can use the mix in other recipes and it also makes a good marinade for chicken and a really good meat rub.

How much does this recipe make?

The mix includes enough for THREE batches of dressing, or THREE store-bought dressing packets.

If you prefer to make up only enough for one batch of dressing, you can half the recipe. However, I recommend making the full batch. Why do all that measuring over and over if you think you’ll be making more?

Italian Dressing Mix Ingredients

DRIED BASIL – 2 teaspoons
DRIED OREGANO – 2 Tablespoons
GARLIC POWDER – 2 Tablespoons
CELERY SALT – 1/2 teaspoon
DRIED PARSLEY – 2 Tablespoons
SALT – ½-1 Tablespoon
BLACK PEPPER – 2 teaspoons
DRIED THYME – ½ teaspoon
SUGAR (optional) – ½-1 Tablespoon

*2 Tablespoons of mix equals one store-bought packet.

Italian Dressing Mix Instructions

Place all ingredients in a small mixing bowl and whisk together. *(If you want a finer and smoother consistency dressing, you can grind the herbs in a coffee grinder or herb grinder).

I like to make up a bulk batch so I don’t have to get out all the herbs and measure every time that I want to make the dressing.

How To Store The Mix

I recommend storing the mix in an airtight glass container. A simple glass pint jar works great, and I love these little plastic mason jar lids. I use them a ton!!!! Make sure you label the jar. If you’re like me, you’ll forget what that lovely mix of herbs is or what to do with it. I’ve simply used a strip of painters tape and a sharpie to label this jar.

This dressing is not only good over a pile of lettuce and greens, but it is also so yummy used in a pasta salad. The flavor in the dressing goes so well with fresh basil, cucumbers, tomatoes, feta, and pasta. YUMMY!

Italian Salad Dressing Recipe

2 Tablespoons of Italian mix (Listed above)
1/4 cup vinegar
3 TB water
1/2 cup olive oil or canola oil
Shake before using it.

*Makes 1 cup dressing

Pour in a glass jar and refrigerate. Shake well before pouring. The dressing will separate quickly as there are NO emulsifiers. (Which is a good thing)?

The dressing can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.

I found and love these little mason jar salad dressing lids.

This salad dressing is also really good over leftover quinoa with some cucumbers, cut up tomatoes, chopped black olives, feta cheese, and whatever else you want to throw in.

Italian Dressing Dip

1-2 Tablespoons mix
16 oz. plain yogurt or sour cream

Mix well and serve.

GOOD SEASONS ITALIAN DRESSING MIX COPYCAT – NO MSG

Jan Howell

Do you want the yummy goodness of a tasty Italian Salad Dressing, but don’t want the MSG or added sugar? You’re going to love this copycat Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix recipe.

Use this mix for salad dressing, marinades, dips, casseroles, and whatever recipe you have that calls for an Italian Dressing mix packet.

Prep Time5 min
Total Time5 min
Yield3 Salad Dressing Packets

Course
- Salad
- Condiments and Sauces

INGREDIENTS (*2 Tablespoons of mix equals one store-bought packet.)

DRIED BASIL – 2 teaspoons

DRIED OREGANO – 2 Tablespoons

GARLIC POWDER – 2 Tablespoons

CELERY SALT – 1/2 teaspoon

DRIED PARSLEY – 2 Tablespoons

SALT – ½-1 Tablespoon

BLACK PEPPER – 2 teaspoons

DRIED THYME – ½ teaspoon

SUGAR (optional) – ½-1 Tablespoon

INSTRUCTIONS

1

Place all ingredients in a small
mixing bowl and whisk together. *(If you want a finer and smoother consistency dressing, you can grind the herbs in a coffee grinder or herb grinder).

I like to make up a bulk batch so I don’t have to get out all the herbs and measure every time that I want to make the dressing.

Notes: *Makes 1 cup dressing

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

Share:

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Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

copy cat recipes recipes salad dressing salad dressings salads

Quinoa & Bean Salad | Lime Cilantro Dressing

Are you ready to open your mind and palate to a new brightly colored and yummy salad? This versatile and delicious quinoa & black bean salad is just the ticket. Loaded with nutrition and flavor, this salad can be eaten alone or as a side dish.

We (my husband and I) have been trying to step up our healthy eating game over the past month. A more plant-based way of eating is what we’re shooting for. Of course, we go through cycles. Years ago we were totally plant-based eaters for almost 2 years. Slowly we started adding things back into our diet and bam, now we have to go through withdrawals again. I LOVE CHEESE!

Food is a funny thing. So many philosophies and theories out there, but what I always come back to is to and feel good about is eating whole foods. I love Michael Pollan’s way of thinking about food. He summed it up in seven words-

“Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.”

If you want a good read about how he thinks, this is a good book.

The base of this salad is quinoa. Not familiar with quinoa? You can read more about the awesomeness of this little seed here in THIS POST. As for now, I hope you’ll give it a whirl in this salad recipe. It is so easy to make, especially if you have an Instant Pot, and it is so versatile.

Let’s get back to the black bean & quinoa salad.

I will list the ingredients; however, you can add or take away whatever you please. This recipe is so easy to modify to your liking, adding different veggies, or herbs as you like. I will give you some yummy suggestions

quinoa & bean salad Ingredients (serves 4-6)

Salad

1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
chickpeas, 1 can
kidney beans (black beans are good also), 1 can
1 cucumber, quartered and chopped (peel if not organic)
1-2 tomatoes, chopped
3 TB chopped fresh cilantro
1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa, cooled (cook quinoa while chopping veggies)
optional additions: black olives, avocado, toasted pumpkin seeds, green onion, chopped carrots, feta cheese

Dressing

4 TB olive oil
2 TB plum vinegar or red wine vinegar
2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cumin
salt and pepper to taste
Juice of 2 limes

Cooking the quinoa

Stovetop method:

Rinse 1 cup quinoa well in a fine strainer.
Place 2 cups of water and quinoa in a saucepan. Bring to a boil.
Turn heat on low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.
Let cool and fluff with a fork.

Instant Pot Method:

Instructions

In a small bowl or jar, mix olive oil, vinegar, lime juice, and spices.
Chop vegetables.
Drain and rinse beans.
In a large bowl, add beans, veggies, and quinoa.
Pour dressing over the top and mix well.
Chill and serve.

This makes a great lunch served with corn chips or flatbread.

Enjoy!

Quinoa & Bean Salad | Lime Cilantro Dressing

Are you ready to open your mind and palate to a new brightly colored and yummy salad? This versatile and delicious quinoa & black bean salad is just the ticket. Loaded with nutrition and flavor, this salad can be eaten alone or as a side dish.

Prep Time10 min
Cook Time12 min
Total Time22 min
Serving Size6

Course
- Salad
Cooking Method
- Instant Pot

Ingredients

Salad

- 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa
- chickpeas, 1 can
- kidney beans (black beans are good also), 1 can
- 1 cucumber, quartered and chopped (peel if not organic)
- 1-2 tomatoes, chopped
- 3 TB chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 1/2 cups cooked quinoa, cooled (cook quinoa while chopping veggies)
- optional additions: black olives, avocado, pumpkin seeds, green onion, chopped carrots

Dressing

- 4 TB olive oil
- 2 TB plum vinegar or red wine vinegar
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- juice of 2 limes
- salt and pepper to taste

Stove top method

1

Rinse 1 cup quinoa well in a fine strainer.

2

Place 2 cups water and quinoa in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil.

3

Turn heat on low, cover and cook 15 minutes.

4

Let cool and fluff with fork.

Instant Pot method

5

Instant Pot Method:

6

Instructions

7

In a small bowl or jar, mix olive oil, vinegar, and spices.
Chop vegetables.
Drain and rinse beans.
In a large bowl, add beans, veggies, and quinoa.
Pour dressing over the top and mix well.
Chill and serve.

8

This makes a great lunch served with corn chips, or flat bread.

Enjoy!

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

Share:

Connect:

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

healthy eating meatless Quinoa quinoa and bean salad salads whole food

Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix – No MSG

Ranch dressing is a staple in most kitchens, including mine. However, the dressing in our home has no MSG, Maltodextrin, or other unknown “spices” because I have been making my own ranch dressing for years.

It seriously tastes just like the Hidden Valley version, perhaps even better.

I am going to give you the recipe so you can make up your own homemade Ranch Dressing Mix. More information on MSG.

Only SIX ingredients!

While you are measuring out ingredients, you might as well make enough for several batches.

This will save you a lot of time. The recipe below will make enough for four batches. Each batch has approximately 16, 2 tablespoon servings.

FOUR batch recipe

Garlic powder, 1 tsp.
Dried Onion Flakes, 4 tsp.
Dried Parsley Flakes, 2 Tablespoons ( or 4 Tablespoons fresh)
Black Pepper, 2 tsp.
Salt, 2 tsp.
Onion Powder, 2 tsp

Simply add all the ingredients to a jar and shake well. Label the jar and store it with the rest of your spices.

Use 1 TB of the mix to make dips, salad dressing, and other recipes that call for Ranch Dressing Mix.

Single batch

Here is the breakdown for a single batch.

Garlic powder, 1/4 tsp.
Dried Onion Flakes, 1 tsp.
Dried Parsley Flakes, 1 Tablespoon ( or 2 Tablespoons fresh)
Black Pepper, 1/2 tsp.
Salt, 1/2 tsp.
Onion Powder, 1/2 tsp

Ranch salad dressing

1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup buttermilk ( if you don’t have buttermilk, no worries). Add one tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar to a liquid measuring cup, and add enough milk until it measures 1 cup
Add 1 TB of dry mix listed above.
Whisk well and enjoy!

The flavor will improve after sitting a bit.

You may be interested in the Italian Dressing Recipe.

Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix – No MSG

Jan Howell

A basic ranch dressing that goes great with everything.

Prep Time5 min
Total Time5 min
Yield4 Batches
Meta LabelLabel Value

Course
- Condiment
Attribute Label
- Attibute Values

Ingredients

Dressing Mix

- Garlic powder, 1 tsp.
- Dried Onion Flakes, 4 tsp.
- Dried Parsley Flakes, 2 Tablespoons ( or 4 Tablespoons fresh)
- Black Pepper, 2 tsp.
- Salt, 2 tsp.
- Onion Powder, 2 tsp
*2 Tablespoons of prepared mix equals one store bought packet.Simply add all the ingredients to a jar and shake well. Label the jar and store with rest of your spices.

Single Batch

- Garlic powder, 1/4 tsp.
- Dried Onion Flakes, 1 tsp.
- Dried Parsley Flakes, 1 Tablespoons ( or 2 Tablespoons fresh)
- Black Pepper, 1/2 tsp.
- Salt, 1/2 tsp.
- Onion Powder, 1/2 tsp
Use the mix to make dips, salad dressing and other recipes that call for Ranch Dressing Mix.

Ranch Salad Dressing

- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup buttermilk ( if you don’t have buttermilk, no worries). Add one tablespoon lemon juice or white vinegar to a liquid measuring cup, and add enough milk until it measures 1 cup
- Add dry ingredients listed above.
- Whisk well and enjoy!
The flavor will improve after sitting a bit.

INSTUCTIONS

1

Add all ingredients to small glass jar and shake well.

2

2 Tablespoons of mix equals 1 store bought packet.

Jan Howell

My intention for this website is to share tips and tutorials that I have found on my journey of life that has brought me joy, improved health, and peace, in hopes that it will do the same for you. I hope you'll join me on this journey!

Share:

Connect:

Jan Howell

Whether it’s a new recipe, a fun craft, or some handy tips for your garden and home, I hope to empower and inspire you with skills that you can use to create joy, improved health, and to do it in a simple way.

homemade ranch dressing msg free ranch dressing salad dressings salads

Greek Orzo Chicken Salad Dressing Ingredients

Greek Orzo Chicken Salad Ingredients

Greek Orzo Chicken Salad Instructions

Greek Orzo Chicken Salad Recipe / Tasty and Delicious

INGREDIENTS

INSTUCTIONS

Jan Howell

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How much does this recipe make?

Italian Dressing Mix Ingredients

Italian Dressing Mix Instructions

How To Store The Mix

Italian Salad Dressing Recipe

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GOOD SEASONS ITALIAN DRESSING MIX COPYCAT – NO MSG

Jan Howell

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Let’s get back to the black bean & quinoa salad.

quinoa & bean salad Ingredients (serves 4-6)

Salad

Dressing

Cooking the quinoa

Stovetop method:

Instructions

Quinoa & Bean Salad | Lime Cilantro Dressing

Ingredients

Jan Howell

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Connect:

Jan Howell

Related Posts

Only SIX ingredients!

FOUR batch recipe

Single batch

Ranch salad dressing

Homemade Ranch Dressing Mix – No MSG

Ingredients

INSTUCTIONS

Jan Howell

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Jan Howell

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