Description
This Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish perfect for a light lunch or a refreshing dinner. Featuring tender seasoned chicken, al dente pasta, fresh vegetables, tangy feta, and briny kalamata olives, all tossed in a zesty olive oil and lemon dressing. It’s easy to prepare, packed with Mediterranean flavors, and served chilled for a delightful meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein
- 2 cups cooked and diced chicken breast
Pasta
- 8 ounces penne or rotini pasta
Vegetables
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
Dairy
- 1 cup feta cheese crumbles
Extras
- 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Other
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Herbs (optional: 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or oregano)
Instructions
- Cook Chicken: Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper, then cook it in extra virgin olive oil over medium heat until golden brown and cooked through. Let it rest before dicing into bite-sized pieces to retain juiciness.
- Prepare Pasta: Cook the penne or rotini pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta thoroughly without rinsing to preserve the starch that helps bind the salad.
- Chop Vegetables: Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, and finely chop the red onion to prepare the fresh vegetable components for the salad.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the diced chicken, cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese crumbles, kalamata olives, and fresh herbs if using.
- Dress and Toss: Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice over the combined ingredients. Toss gently but thoroughly to evenly distribute the flavors and coat all components. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors meld and serve chilled for a refreshing and satisfying Mediterranean-inspired meal.
Notes
- Use freshly cooked chicken for best flavor and texture, but rotisserie chicken can be a convenient alternative.
- Do not rinse the pasta after draining; this helps the dressing stick better to the pasta.
- Feel free to add fresh herbs like parsley or oregano for an extra burst of Mediterranean flavor.
- This salad can be prepared a few hours ahead to enhance the flavor but is best served within 24 hours.
- For a lighter version, reduce the amount of olive oil or substitute feta with a lower-fat cheese.