Description
Savor Mediterranean charm with this delightful Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad bursting with fresh herbs and zesty flavors. Crisp vegetables, tender chicken, and tangy dressing blend perfectly, offering a refreshing meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 cups (200 g) cooked chicken, diced or shredded (grilled or rotisserie)
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Pasta and Vegetables:
- 2 cups (200 g) pasta (penne, rotini, or bowtie)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup cucumber, diced
- ½ cup kalamata olives, sliced
- ¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped
Dressing and Seasonings:
- ¼ cup (60 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare a pot of salted water and cook the pasta until it reaches a tender yet firm texture, ensuring it maintains its structural integrity.
- Once cooked, immediately drain the pasta and shock it under cold running water to halt the cooking process and prevent clumping.
- Craft a vibrant dressing by vigorously whisking together fruity olive oil, zesty lemon juice, tangy Dijon mustard, aromatic dried oregano, minced garlic, and a balanced blend of salt and pepper.
- Transform a spacious mixing vessel into a canvas of Mediterranean flavors by layering the chilled pasta with succulent, pre-cooked chicken pieces.
- Introduce a colorful medley of halved cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber chunks, briny Kalamata olives, thinly sliced red onion, and freshly chopped parsley to the pasta mixture.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad, using a gentle folding technique to ensure each ingredient is evenly coated without breaking the delicate components.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese throughout the salad, allowing its creamy texture to integrate with the other ingredients.
- Enhance the dish’s flavor profile by covering and refrigerating for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the ingredients to meld and develop a harmonious taste.
- Serve the pasta salad chilled or at ambient temperature, presenting a refreshing and vibrant Mediterranean-inspired dish.
Notes
- Rinse pasta with cold water immediately after cooking to stop the cooking process and prevent overcooking, ensuring perfect al dente texture.
- Marinate chicken beforehand in the dressing to infuse more flavor and create a more tender, juicy protein component.
- Allow salad to sit in refrigerator for at least an hour to let ingredients meld together, enhancing overall taste profile and developing deeper Mediterranean flavors.
- Substitute chicken with grilled tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian version, maintaining the protein content and keeping the dish’s core Mediterranean essence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg