Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad
A vibrant and refreshing dish that combines chicken, pasta, and fresh vegetables, perfect for gatherings or meal prep.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked and diced chicken breast
- 8 ounces penne or rotini pasta Use your preferred pasta shape.
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 medium cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 cup feta cheese crumbles
- 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil For cooking and dressing.
Instructions
Preparation
- Ensure your chicken is cooked and diced.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the extra virgin olive oil.
- Season the chicken breast with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until golden brown and fully cooked through (about 10 to 15 minutes).
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before dicing it into bite-sized pieces.
- Boil water in a large pot and cook the penne or rotini pasta according to package instructions until al dente (around 8 to 10 minutes). Drain the pasta but do not rinse.
Mixing
- In a large mixing bowl, combine halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, and finely chopped red onion.
- Add the cooked pasta and diced chicken to the bowl.
- Gently stir in feta cheese crumbles and kalamata olives.
- Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and add lemon juice for extra freshness.
- Toss everything together gently and adjust seasoning as necessary.
- Chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
For added flavor, use high-quality ingredients and let the salad chill before serving. Consider adding chopped herbs like parsley or basil for variation.