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Flavorful Greek Chicken Pasta Salad with Feta – Best 20-Minute Meal

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This Greek chicken pasta salad is a quick, 20-minute meal made with simple ingredients like rotisserie chicken, feta, and a bright lemon herb dressing. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or potlucks, it’s a crowd-pleaser that tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces rotini or fusilli pasta (use gluten-free pasta if needed)
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 medium cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 cup kalamata olives, halved
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
  • 1/4 cup roasted red peppers, chopped (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained (optional)
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the rotini and cook according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
  2. Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl or mason jar, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt, pepper, and honey (if using). Whisk or shake until well emulsified. Set aside.
  3. Prep the vegetables: Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, slice the red onion, and chop the parsley. If using optional add-ins, prep them now.
  4. Combine the salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the drained pasta, shredded chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, kalamata olives, red onion, and parsley. Toss gently to distribute.
  5. Dress and toss: Pour about 3/4 of the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss gently to coat. Add more dressing as needed. If the salad seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water.
  6. Add the feta: Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese, being careful not to break it up too much.
  7. Taste and adjust: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice as desired.
  8. Rest and serve: Let the salad sit at room temperature for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

Notes

For best results, cook pasta al dente and rinse with cold water. Let the salad rest for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. The salad tastes even better the next day. To refresh leftovers, add a splash of olive oil or lemon juice.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek chicken pasta salad, 20-minute meal, easy pasta salad, Mediterranean pasta salad, rotisserie chicken recipe, feta pasta salad

Find it online: https://lindabake.com/flavorful-greek-chicken-pasta-salad-with-feta-best-20-minute-meal/