If you’re looking for a dish that’s bursting with bold Mediterranean flavors, visual appeal, and serious meal-prep potential, the Greek Feta Chicken Pasta Salad is about to become your new favorite obsession. Packed with juicy chicken, crisp veggies, tangy feta, and that iconic Greek dressing, it’s both hearty and refreshing—perfect for lunch, picnics, or effortless entertaining. Bonus: it’s as easy to make as it is delicious, and every bite delivers a zesty, creamy, and savory punch that will have everyone coming back for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This irresistible Greek Feta Chicken Pasta Salad comes together with simple, fresh ingredients that each add their own magic to the bowl. Every element in this list is essential for building flavor, contrasting textures, and a feast for the eyes—plus, you probably already have many on hand!
- Pasta: Rotini or penne are perfect for catching all the dressing and chunky ingredients—choose your favorite shape to scoop up flavor in every bite.
- Chicken breast: Cooked and diced, this adds substance and protein, turning your pasta salad into a satisfying meal.
- Cherry tomatoes: Halved for bursts of sweetness and vibrant color; they bring juiciness and a hint of tang.
- Cucumber: Diced for crunch and refreshing coolness, cucumber lightens up every mouthful.
- Kalamata olives: Sliced to distribute salty, briny intensity throughout the salad—don’t skip them!
- Red onion: Finely diced for mild, crisp kick and gorgeous color contrast.
- Feta cheese: Crumbled for that creamy, tangy signature flavor—let it shine in every bite.
- Fresh parsley: Chopped parsley not only brings bright color but also a fresh, herby note to balance out richer flavors.
- Greek dressing: Whether homemade or store-bought, a zippy Greek dressing ties the whole salad together with herbaceous, lemony goodness.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: A finishing touch, perfectly seasoning all those beautiful ingredients to taste.
How to Make Greek Feta Chicken Pasta Salad
Step 1: Cook and Cool the Pasta
Start by boiling your choice of rotini or penne until just al dente (check the package for timing). Be sure not to overcook it, since firmer pasta holds up better in salads. Once it’s ready, drain and rinse under cold water; the rinse stops the cooking and cools the pasta down so your salad stays crisp and fresh. Set it aside while you prep the rest of your ingredients.
Step 2: Prep and Combine the Salad Ingredients
Grab a large mixing bowl and pile in the cooked, cooled pasta, diced cooked chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, kalamata olives, red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped parsley. Each addition brings its own pop of color and flavor—don’t be shy about giving it a gentle toss as you go to distribute everything evenly.
Step 3: Dress and Season
Drizzle that luscious Greek dressing evenly over the salad, then toss gently until everything glistens and is well coated. Taste, and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. The goal: every forkful should be perfectly dressed and flavorful, with all the ingredients harmonizing beautifully.
Step 4: Let the Flavors Mingle
Cover your Greek Feta Chicken Pasta Salad and pop it in the fridge for at least an hour before you serve. This extra chill time allows the dressing to soak into the pasta and veggies, letting all those bright, punchy flavors marry together into something even greater. Just before serving, give it another light toss to redistribute any dressing and ensure maximum flavor in every bowl.
How to Serve Greek Feta Chicken Pasta Salad
Garnishes
A final sprinkle of extra crumbled feta, a scattering of fresh parsley leaves, or even a few additional olive slices works wonders to make your Greek Feta Chicken Pasta Salad look as vibrant as it tastes. For a restaurant-style touch, add lemon zest over the top right before serving.
Side Dishes
This salad stands up beautifully on its own, but pairing it with warm pita bread, a bowl of classic hummus, or a side of roasted vegetables can take your meal to the next level. For a Greek-inspired spread, serve with dolmas or a cup of light, lemony soup.
Creative Ways to Present
You can easily turn your Greek Feta Chicken Pasta Salad into a stunning centerpiece! Try serving it on a large platter lined with crisp lettuce leaves, or portion it out in mason jars for a grab-and-go picnic. Individual bowls, topped with a wedge of lemon, bring elegance to even a weeknight dinner.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
This salad is a meal-preppers dream! Store leftover Greek Feta Chicken Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors get even better as they meld, making for satisfying lunches and quick dinners throughout the week.
Freezing
While most pasta salads don’t freeze well due to texture changes, you can freeze the cooked, diced chicken separately and add it to freshly made pasta and veggies later. For the best creamy, crisp texture, keep your Greek Feta Chicken Pasta Salad in the fridge rather than the freezer.
Reheating
This salad is best enjoyed chilled or at cool room temperature; there’s no need to reheat. If you prefer it slightly warmer, let it sit on the counter for a bit before serving, but avoid microwaving to preserve those fresh flavors and textures.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Salad
Absolutely! While rotini and penne are ideal for catching all the good stuff, you can use fusilli, farfalle, or even whole wheat varieties. Just make sure it’s a sturdy shape that won’t fall apart after mixing with the dressing.
What’s the best kind of chicken to use in Greek Feta Chicken Pasta Salad?
Grilled or roasted chicken breast adds fantastic depth and a smoky note, but rotisserie chicken is a deliciously convenient shortcut. If you’re in a rush, leftover shredded chicken from last night’s dinner will work beautifully too.
Can I make this salad vegetarian?
Definitely! Simply skip the chicken or replace it with a plant-based protein like chickpeas or grilled halloumi. The feta and vegetables alone already make this a satisfying main course.
Do I have to chill the salad before serving?
It’s highly recommended! Chilling allows all the flavors in the Greek Feta Chicken Pasta Salad to mingle and intensify. If you’re really short on time, you can serve it immediately, but that extra hour in the fridge makes a huge difference.
Can I add other vegetables or ingredients?
Of course! This salad is endlessly customizable. Add chopped bell peppers for extra crunch, toss in artichoke hearts or sun-dried tomatoes for a Mediterranean twist, or sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top for a little crunch.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re as excited as I am to dive into a bowl of Greek Feta Chicken Pasta Salad! It’s that perfect balance of easy, flavorful, and totally satisfying. Give it a try for your next lunch, dinner, or get-together and watch everyone fall in love with its bright, zesty, Mediterranean vibes.
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Greek Feta Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes plus chilling time
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
This Greek Feta Chicken Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish perfect for a quick meal or a potluck gathering. Packed with Mediterranean ingredients and tossed in a tangy Greek dressing, this salad is sure to be a hit.
Ingredients
Pasta Salad:
- 12 ounces rotini or penne pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
- 1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup kalamata olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup Greek dressing (store-bought or homemade)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool completely.
- Prepare the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, red onion, feta cheese, and parsley.
- Add Dressing: Pour the Greek dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper.
- Chill and Serve: Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld. Toss again before serving and enjoy chilled.
Notes
- Add chopped bell peppers for extra crunch.
- Use grilled chicken for added flavor, or substitute rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
