Greek Pasta Chicken Salad Jars (Printable View)

Layered Mediterranean salad with orzo, grilled chicken, fresh vegetables, Kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese in convenient mason jars.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pasta & Protein

01 - 1 cup dry orzo pasta
02 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded

→ Vegetables

03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
05 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
06 - 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
07 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Add-Ins

08 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
09 - 3/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

→ Dressing

10 - 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
12 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - 1 garlic clove, minced
14 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
15 - 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

# How To Make It:

01 - Cook orzo pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cooled.
02 - Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, sea salt, and black pepper in a small bowl until emulsified.
03 - Prepare four 16-ounce mason jars with tight-sealing lids.
04 - Divide dressing evenly among jars. Layer red onion, bell pepper, and cucumber directly over dressing. Add cherry tomatoes, then cooled orzo, chicken, olives, feta cheese, and finish with parsley.
05 - Seal jars tightly with lids and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
06 - Shake jar vigorously to distribute dressing or pour contents into a bowl and toss before eating.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything tastes better after marinating together for a day, like magic you don't have to work for
  • You'll feel like you packed a gourmet lunch without spending your whole Sunday cooking
02 -
  • The layering order matters completely, with dressing on bottom and delicate ingredients on top
  • These jars actually taste better on day two or three once everything has marinated together
03 -
  • Dry your vegetables thoroughly before layering to prevent the salad from becoming waterlogged
  • Wait to add the feta until serving day if you prefer it crumbly rather than creamy
Go Back