This Greek Pasta Salad with Chicken is a fresh take on classic pasta salad with greek flavors like feta, kalamata olives, and cucumber. Adding chicken to this salad makes it even more filling and perfect for a make ahead lunch or a protein packed side dish.
Most pasta salads are full of veggies which is delicious, but by adding tender chicken pieces, it creates a fully balanced meal.
You'll notice, this pasta salad has a ton of vegetables and only ½ a pound of pasta. That combined with the chicken pieces make this a tasty meal all by itself. It is filling and satisfying.
Something I love about this pasta salad is that everything is cut up small and uniformly, almost like a chopped salad. That means every bite is bursting with all of the flavors and it's very easy to eat.
Whether you are making this for yourself, your own family, or to serve others, it will be a hit. It lasts a few days in the fridge-- if it makes it that long!
After you try this tasty pasta salad, try pesto tortellini pasta salad or cold tuna pasta salad! Both hits at parties and barbecues.
Ingredients:
- Pasta: I used mini farfalle, but any short pasta will work.
- Tomatoes: Any type will work, I used cherry tomatoes.
- Bell Pepper: This adds a nice crunch to the salad.
- Kalamata olives: Make sure they are pitted.
- Cucumber: I suggest an english cucumber, as it has less seeds and will hold up better.
- Red onion: This is a great compliment to the greek flavors and has a milder taste than yellow onion which is great because its eaten raw.
- Feta cheese: Crumbled feta adds a creamy and salty bite to the dish.
- Fresh Herbs: A mix of fresh dill and fresh parsley add color and flavor to this dish.
- Pasta Dressing ingredients: The homemade pasta salad dressing is comprised of minced fresh garlic, extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice and zest, italian seasoning, as well as salt and pepper.
How to Make Greek Pasta Salad with Chicken
Step 1. Cook and cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
Cook pasta according to packaging instructions. It should take about 8-10 minutes for it to reach al dente, which is cooked through but not gummy.
Step 2. Add minced garlic, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and lemon zest to a large mixing bowl and allow to sit for 5 minutes so the garlic mellows in flavor. Add remaining dressing ingredients including olive oil, italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Step 3. To mixing bowl, add cooked cooked pasta, cooked chicken, diced bell pepper, diced cucumber, diced tomato, diced red onion, sliced kalamata olives, chopped dill and parsley, and crumbled feta cheese.
Step 4. Stir to combine and serve warm or cold.
Recipe Tips
- My number one tip for this recipe is in regards to the dressing. As the instructions state, you are going to want to add your minced garlic to the vinegar and lemon juice mixture to mellow out before adding the rest of the ingredients. This ensures it's not too overpowering.
- If you have any parties or get together coming up, this would be perfect to bring to share! If you decide to bring it somewhere, I suggest you keep the dressing separate and stir it together right before serving. This will ensure that the veggies all stay crunchy!
- You can get creative with this pasta salad, adding or taking away based on your preferences. Some suggestions are green olives, zucchini, chicken peas, canned artichokes, and capers.
More Greek-Inspired Recipes
- Greek Chicken Meatballs
- Healthy Greek Flatbreads
- Greek Cucumber Salad
- Greek Wedge Salad
- Greek Chicken Tray Bake
- Greek Lemon Rice Soup
Did you enjoy this Greek Pasta Salad with Chicken? I would love for you to let me know by leaving a comment and star rating. I can't wait to hear from you!
Greek Pasta Salad with Chicken
Ingredients
- ½ lb. mini farfalle
- 1 large chicken breast cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes small dice
- ½ cup kalamata olives sliced
- 1 half english cucumber small dice
- 1 green bell pepper seeded and small dice
- 1 small red onion small dice
- 2 tbsp. fresh parsley chopped well
- 2 tbsp. fresh dill chopped well
- 1 cup feta cheese crumbled
Dressing
- 2 cloves garlic
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 1 lemon juice and zest
- 1 tsp. italian seasoning
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
Instructions
- Cut cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook pasta according to packaging instructions. It should take about 8-10 minutes for it to reach al dente, which is cooked through but not gummy.
- While the pasta is cooking, take the time to prepare all of your vegetables by chopping them into bite-sized pieces as specified.
- Add minced garlic, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, and lemon zest to a large mixing bowl and allow to sit for 5 minutes so the garlic mellows in flavor. Add remaining dressing ingredients including olive oil, italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- To mixing bowl, add cooked cooked pasta, cooked chicken, diced bell pepper, diced cucumber, diced tomato, diced red onion, sliced kalamata olives, chopped dill and parsley, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Stir to combine.
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