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Greek Chicken Feta Pasta Salad - Bright, Fresh, and Satisfying

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings: 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • Short pasta: Rotini, penne, or farfalle
  • Cooked chicken: Grilled, roasted, or rotisserie, diced or shredded
  • Cherry or grape tomatoes: Halved
  • English cucumber: Diced (no need to peel)
  • Red onion: Thinly sliced
  • Kalamata olives: Pitted and halved
  • Feta cheese: Crumbled (block feta preferred)
  • Fresh herbs: Parsley and/or dill, chopped
  • Baby spinach or arugula: Optional for extra greens
  • Lemon: Zest and juice
  • Red wine vinegar
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Garlic: Finely grated or minced
  • Dried oregano
  • Dijon mustard
  • Honey: Or sugar, to balance acidity
  • Kosher salt and black pepper

Method
 

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta until just al dente, following package times. Drain and rinse briefly under cool water to stop cooking and prevent sticking. Shake off excess water.
  2. Make the dressing: In a jar or bowl, whisk 1/3 cup olive oil, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon Dijon, 1 small clove garlic (grated), 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 teaspoon honey, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Taste and adjust acid, salt, and sweetness.
  3. Prep the produce: Halve tomatoes, dice cucumber, thinly slice red onion, and halve olives. Chop parsley and/or dill. If using greens, keep them dry and loosely chopped.
  4. Season the chicken: Dice or shred cooked chicken. Toss with a spoonful of the dressing and a pinch of salt and pepper so it’s flavorful before it meets the salad.
  5. Toss the base: In a large bowl, combine cooled pasta, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and olives. Pour in half the dressing and toss to coat.
  6. Add chicken and feta: Fold in the chicken and most of the feta. Add more dressing as needed so everything is lightly glossy but not wet.
  7. Herbs and greens: Sprinkle in chopped parsley and/or dill. If using spinach or arugula, fold it in gently right before serving to keep it crisp.
  8. Rest and taste: Let the salad sit for 10 minutes so the flavors meld. Taste and adjust with more lemon, salt, or pepper. Finish with the remaining feta on top for a fresh look.
  9. Serve: Enjoy slightly chilled or at room temperature. A final drizzle of olive oil and a crack of pepper right before serving adds a nice finish.