My Recipe Box: Chickpea, Olive and Orzo Pesto Salad

 

Hi everyone! I'm back with another recipe that I've been wanting to share with you all. I've been loving this pasta salad as a lunch and dinner for the last couple of months, especially as the weather has been getting warmer. It just feels so refreshing to sit down with a bowl of this on a hot summer evening. Plus, it's ready in less than 30 minutes - I love it!

So, here is the recipe for my chickpea, olive and orzo pesto salad...


Ingredients (serves 2 as large portions, 4 as smaller portions)

  • 1 can of chickpeas, rinsed
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp mild chilli powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp coriander
  • 180g orzo
  • 80g pesto
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 130g cherry or plum tomatoes, halved
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 80g feta cheese, crumbled
  • 40g black olives, halved
  • 50g salad of choice (we use rocket or baby leaf)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste


  1. Coat the chickpeas in the paprika, garlic powder, chilli powder, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper.
  2. Spread chickpeas into drawer of air fryer and cook at 180°c for 16 minutes (alternatively, you can cook them in the oven at 200°c (fan) for 20 minutes).
  3. While the chickpeas cook, boil a pan of water with a pinch of salt for the orzo. When boiling, add the orzo and cook for 10 minutes. Drain orzo and run under cold water (you can also add a drizzle of oil to stop it sticking).
  4. In a large bowl, combine the pesto, olive oil and lemon juice (with salt and pepper, to taste) before adding the halved tomatoes to the mixture.
  5. When the chickpeas are done, remove the drawer and add a drizzle of honey over them while they are still warm. Leave for 10 mins to cool.
  6. Add the orzo, feta, olives, salad and chickpeas to the pesto mixture and gently combine.
  7. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for 2 days (just be aware the chickpeas go a bit softer during this time).



Let me know if you try it. Enjoy!


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