Chickpea Orzo Salad with Lemon-Dill Dressing

Now THIS is a summertime dish that you are going to LOVE; my Chickpea Orzo Salad with Lemon Dill Dressing is a bright, vibrant, refreshing take on your traditional pasta salad recipe. Except this time, we’re swapping out large noodles for playful orzo, and adding in plenty of fresh veggies and citrus to keep this dish light and exciting. Plus, it’s vegan-optional and comes together in just a few simple steps. Easy!

Friends, we have officially hit the dog days of summer, aka those long summer days where the sun rises early, sets late, and beach days are an absolute “must.” In the spirit of the season, I’ve found myself spending less time making complicated meals in my kitchen, and instead favoring simple and light dishes that come together in just a few minutes. It’s only only a “recipe” for beating the heat, but also for making the most of those long days spent outside.

And when it comes to this time of year, there are a few flavors that I just absolutely love to include in my dishes. First, bright citrus flavors, like lemon, really takes center stage this season. Second, I love seasonal fruits, like watermelon and peaches. And finally, I love to round out my veggies with a light and tangy cheese. It’s the perfect way to add some extra protein to a dish, without making it super heavy!

If you’re looking for more simple, light, and refreshing meals this summertime, then this is the perfect recipe to add to your repertoire. In fact, it may just be my favorite summertime “salad” recipe yet!

What You Need to Make This Delicious & Fun Orzo Salad

The most beautiful part about this recipe, aside from its rainbow of colors, is the fact that it comes together with just a few simple ingredients!

• Orzo: Orzo is a short-cut pasta that looks like a large grain of rice. It’s a delicious form of pasta to eat when you don’t want to feel super full and sluggish!
• Chickpeas: Make sure your chickpeas are rinsed and dried well, for this recipe. And don’t forget to save the water from that can of chickpeas! You can use it to make a homemade vegan mayonnaise!
• English Cucumber: English cucumber is cool and crunchy, which is exactly what we want in a summertime salad!
• Feta Cheese: Feta is one of the perfect cheeses for the summertime. It’s tangy, it’s delicious, and I find it’s gentler on my stomach than other dairy products are, especially if it’s a sheep’s milk feta. If you are vegan, you can omit this, or substitute it for a vegan feta alternative.
• Red Onion: I love the taste of raw red onions in this recipe! Just be sure to dice them thin.
• Raw Almonds: Raw almonds add a kick of plant-based protein and healthy fats, while also adding a crunchy element to this salad.
• Olive Oil: Olive oil is loaded with delicious healthy fats, to keep your skin glowing all summer long!
• Lemon: The juice of one fresh lemon adds the perfect amount of “zing” to this dressing.
• Herbs & Seasonings: To season our dressing, we’ll be using a combination of fresh dill, garlic, sea salt, cumin, and ground black pepper. Yum!

How to Make This Perfect Summertime Orzo Salad & Dressing

Making this salad couldn’t be any easier! Simply start by heating pot of water over the stove, and cooking your orzo according to the package directions.

Next, while the orzo is cooking, prepare your other ingredients. Chop your cucumber and almonds, dice your onion, drain and rinse your chickpeas, and crumble your feta cheese. Place them in a bowl and set aside.

Once the orzo is done, drain it and rinse it with cold water to remove the extra starches. Add it to the bowl with the rest of your ingredients, then prepare the dressing by whisking the dressing ingredients together in a separate small bowl, until fully incorporated.

When the dressing is finished, pour it over the bowl with the orzo and toss to fully combine. Serve immediately, or store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Enjoy!

If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a review and rating below! And, since I practically live on Instagram, be sure to tag me in your creations so that I can repost them! xx

** Photography by Gayle McLeod