Description
This Greek chicken pasta salad is a delicious and protein-packed dish featuring tender grilled chicken, al dente pasta, fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, kalamata olives, red onion, and cubes of feta cheese. Tossed with a refreshing homemade tzatziki dressing made from Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, dill, and mint, this salad bursts with vibrant Mediterranean flavors. It’s perfect for a healthy main course or a flavorful side dish and can be made ahead for convenience.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 1 box pasta cooked al dente
- 3 boneless chicken breasts cooked and sliced
- 1 jar kalamata olives, pitted, drained and chopped
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/4 red onion, diced
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
- 1 block feta cheese, cut into cubes
For the Dressing
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup cucumber, finely grated and water squeezed out
- 1 Tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 Tbsp fresh mint, chopped
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Tzatziki Dressing: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (with excess water squeezed out), lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, chopped fresh dill, chopped fresh mint, and salt to taste. Mix well until all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated. Refrigerate the dressing to let the flavors meld while you prepare the salad.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, add the cooked pasta, sliced cooked chicken breasts, chopped kalamata olives, diced cucumber, diced red onion, diced cherry tomatoes, and cubed feta cheese. Gently toss all ingredients together to combine evenly.
- Toss With Dressing and Serve: When you are ready to serve the salad, top it with the prepared tzatziki dressing. Mix well to ensure every bite is coated with the flavorful dressing. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a main course, side dish, or a hearty salad.
Notes
- For best results, cook the pasta al dente according to package instructions to retain a pleasing texture.
- Grill or pan-cook the chicken breasts seasoned simply with salt and pepper for added flavor.
- To save time, use store-bought tzatziki dressing, but homemade is recommended for freshness and authentic taste.
- This salad can be prepared a few hours or a day ahead; store the dressing separately and mix just before serving to keep the pasta fresh.
- Feel free to add other Mediterranean ingredients like artichoke hearts or sun-dried tomatoes for variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Greek
