Greek Pasta Chicken Salad Jars (Printable)

Mediterranean jars with orzo, chicken, vegetables, olives, and feta for portable lunches.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 tbsp red wine vinegar
12 - 1 tsp dried oregano
13 - 1 garlic clove, minced
14 - 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
15 - 1/4 tsp sea salt
16 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

# How To Make It:

01 - Cook orzo according to package directions until al dente. Drain well, rinse under cold water to stop cooking, and cool completely.
02 - Whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
03 - Set out four 16 oz mason jars with lids.
04 - Divide dressing evenly among jars. Layer red onion, bell pepper, and cucumber over dressing. Add cherry tomatoes, followed by orzo pasta, chicken, olives, feta, and fresh parsley on top.
05 - Seal jars tightly and refrigerate up to 4 days. Before eating, shake jar to distribute dressing or empty into bowl and toss.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything stays remarkably crisp for days because the dressing touches the sturdy vegetables first
  • Meal prep suddenly feels like assembling edible presents instead of a Sunday chore
02 -
  • The layering order matters because the dressing needs time to penetrate the hearty vegetables before reaching delicate ingredients
  • Cooling the orzo completely before layering prevents the other ingredients from becoming soggy or wilted
03 -
  • Wide mouth jars are infinitely easier to fill and clean than standard mouth jars
  • Use a kitchen towel when tightening the lids to ensure they're sealed properly for storage
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