Orzo Chickpea Salad
Servings 4 -6 as a side salad
Calories 426kcal
Ingredients
For the chickpeas and sausage
- 395 ml / 14-15 oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp ground pepper
- 450 grams (1 lb) chicken sausage, removed from the casing, roughly chopped into 1-inch pieces
For the dressing
- 1 large lemon, zested and juiced (about ¼ cup juice)
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp ground pepper
- ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp mustard
- 1 small clove of garlic, pressed
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tbsp liquid honey
For the salad
- 1 cup dry orzo, cooked
- 1 cup snap peas, cut on the bias
- ⅓ cup fresh chopped mint plus mint leaves for garnish
- 100 grams goat cheese, crumbled
Instructions
- Bake the sausage and chickpeas: Preheat the oven to 425F. Add the drained and rinsed chickpeas to one side of a large baking sheet. Season the chickpeas with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder and toss to combine. To the other side of the baking sheet, add the roughly chopped sausage (out of the casing), spreading the pieces apart a bit for even cooking. Bake for 20-22 minutes or until the sausage is cooked through to 165F. Set the sausage and chickpeas aside.
- Make the dressing: Whisk together all of the dressing ingredients and set aside.
- Cook the orzo: Cook the orzo according to package directions, making sure to cook to al dente since the orzo will continue to soften once it’s mixed with the dressing. Once the pasta is cooked, drain and set aside.
- Assemble the salad: To a large mixing bowl or serving bowl add the cooked orzo, sliced snap peas, chopped mint, cooked chickpeas and cooked sausage. Whisk the dressing one more time and then drizzle the dressing over the salad. Toss to combine. Finally add the crumbled goat cheese and toss gently a few more times. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for up to 3 days until ready to enjoy.
Notes
- Perfect for meal prep, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Substitute the chicken sausage for another type of sausage of choice if desired.
- If you love this recipe, try our Greek Inspired Steak Salad
Nutrition
Calories: 426kcal | Carbohydrates: 26.9g | Protein: 26.3g | Fat: 24.3g | Saturated Fat: 5.5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13.9g | Cholesterol: 62.4mg | Sodium: 755.1mg | Fiber: 4.4g | Sugar: 4.2g
