Description
This Chickpea Orzo Bowl with Feta, Cranberries & Honey Dressing is fresh, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make. Tender orzo is tossed with creamy feta, sweet-tart cranberries, protein-packed chickpeas, and a bright honey Dijon vinaigrette. Ready in just 25 minutes, it’s perfect for meal prep, picnics, or a refreshing light dinner.
Ingredients
- For the salad:
1 cup orzo pasta
1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
2 tablespoons sliced almonds (optional)
- For the honey dressing:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
Cook orzo according to package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool and prevent sticking.
In a large bowl, combine orzo, chickpeas, cranberries, feta, parsley, red onion, and almonds (if using).
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper until smooth and emulsified.
Pour the dressing over the orzo mixture and gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
Chill in the fridge for 10–15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
Notes
For a vegan version, swap the feta for a plant-based alternative and use maple syrup instead of honey.
This salad keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just stir and refresh with a drizzle of olive oil before serving.
To toast almonds: heat them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until golden and fragrant.
Gluten-free? Swap orzo for gluten-free pasta or quinoa.
Great as a side dish or main—add grilled chicken or roasted vegetables for more heartiness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad, Main Dish
- Method: No-cook (aside from pasta boiling)
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 380 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 15mg