Description
A warm, cozy Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad with tender chicken, chewy pasta, fresh vegetables, and a bright lemon-olive dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz short pasta (penne, rotini, or bow tie)
- 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup cucumber, diced (optional)
- 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
- 1/3 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop cooking, then toss with a little olive oil.
- While pasta cooks, chop the cooked chicken and vegetables into bite-size pieces.
- Make the dressing by whisking together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Adjust seasoning as needed.
- In a large bowl, combine the cooled pasta, chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, onion, and olives. Pour the dressing over salad and toss gently.
- Fold in crumbled feta cheese and let salad rest for 10–15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use cooked, cooled pasta for a lighter salad. Rotisserie chicken saves time and adds flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 50mg