Ingredients:

Spicy Yogurt Cilantro Sauce:

• 1/2 bunch cilantro (including stems)

• 1/3 cup plain yogurt, regular style

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 1/2 lime juice

• 1/4 teaspoon Sriracha sauce

• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic

• 1/2 tablespoons honey

• ½ teaspoon cumin

• ¼ teaspoon salt     

Chicken Orzo Pasta Salad

• 2 ¼ cups cooked orzo (1 cup uncooked orzo)

• 1 can - canned chicken (12.5 ounces)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped

• ½ cup red bell pepper, diced

• 1 cup zucchini, diced

• ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1/3 cup spicy yogurt cilantro sauce

• 2 tablespoons Romano cheese, shredded

• Black pepper to taste

Variations:

• Use different types of vegetables

• Vegan: use soy yogurt and replace chicken with chickpeas

Instructions:

1. Put all ingredients for making the spicy yogurt cilantro sauce into a blender and blend for 30 seconds or until it becomes smooth

2. Refrigerate the sauce while preparing the pasta dish

3. Cook the orzo according to the package instruction then place drained pasta into a bowl

4. Open the canned chicken and drain the liquid from the can

5. Heat the olive oil and garlic in a nonstick frying pan on medium high heat

6. Sautee zucchini and red bell pepper for 1 ½ minutes or until the vegetables are slightly softened

7. Add the canned chicken to the sautéed vegetables. Break the larger pieces of chicken if needed

8. Sautee the chicken with the vegetable mixture for 30 seconds or until the chicken is warm

9. Add the sautéed canned chicken and vegetables to the cooked orzo

10. Add 1/3 cup spicy yogurt cilantro sauce to the orzo

11. Add black pepper to taste (optional)        

12. Sprinkle the Romano cheese on the top of the orzo

13. Add cherry tomatoes on top of the pasta

14. Serve at the room temperature or cold as a side dish