Description
Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad is a colorful and nutritious dish that combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and fresh vegetables, all tossed in a light lemon-olive oil dressing. This salad is perfect for lunch, dinner, or as a refreshing side at gatherings. Its vibrant flavors are sure to impress your guests while keeping your meal prep simple and satisfying. With the option to customize with various ingredients, this salad becomes a versatile staple for any occasion, making it an ideal choice for warm days or busy weeks ahead.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups cooked and diced chicken breast
- 8 ounces penne or rotini pasta
- 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
- Juice of one lemon
Instructions
- Cook the chicken: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook until golden brown (7-10 minutes). Let rest before dicing.
- Boil the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Drain without rinsing.
- Prepare vegetables: Chop cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, toss together cooked pasta, diced chicken, vegetables, feta cheese, olives, and herbs.
- Dress the salad: Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over the mixture; toss gently to combine.
- Serve: Adjust seasoning if needed and enjoy chilled or at room temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 65mg