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Easy High-Protein Greek Chicken Pasta Salad

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A quick, protein-packed Greek-inspired pasta salad featuring grilled chicken, fresh veggies, and a tangy homemade dressing. Perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz (225 g) pasta (penne, rotini, or fusilli)
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded (about 10 oz / 280 g)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced (peeled if preferred)
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1/3 cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano (or 1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped)
  • 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz pasta and cook according to package instructions (9-11 minutes) until al dente. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Drain in a colander and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking and cool the pasta. Set aside to drain well.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 minced garlic clove, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
  3. While pasta cooks, halve 1 cup cherry tomatoes, dice 1 medium cucumber, thinly slice 1/3 cup red onion, and pit & halve 1/2 cup Kalamata olives. Chop 1/4 cup fresh parsley finely. Dice or shred about 2 cups cooked chicken breast.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, red onion, and parsley. Pour the dressing over and toss gently but thoroughly to coat everything evenly.
  5. Crumble 1/2 cup feta cheese over the salad and give it one last gentle toss.
  6. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed. Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes at room temperature before serving.

Notes

Do not overcook pasta; it should be al dente. Rinse pasta under cold water to stop cooking and cool it for salad. Use leftover or rotisserie chicken for convenience and flavor. Let dressing sit a few minutes before tossing to bloom flavors. Keep dressing separate if storing salad for later to maintain freshness. Salad holds well in fridge up to 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek chicken pasta salad, high protein salad, quick healthy meals, Mediterranean salad, easy pasta salad, meal prep salad

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/easy-high-protein-greek-chicken-pasta-salad-recipe-for-quick-healthy-meals/