If ever a pasta salad could capture sunshine in a bowl, it’s this Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe. Vibrant vegetables, hearty chicken, and tangy feta tumble together with a zippy vinaigrette for pure Mediterranean magic. It’s one of those dishes I crave on warm afternoons, but it’s absolutely delicious any time of year. Whether you’re meal-prepping lunches for the week, feeding a crowd, or looking for a show-stopping picnic dish, this salad hits all the right notes—fresh, full of satisfying texture, and packed with bold flavor in every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe shines with simple ingredients that are all about flavor and color. Each one has its role—some bring protein, others crunch or acidity, and a few surprise you with bursts of salty, briny, or creamy goodness.
- Pasta (12 oz rotini or penne): Short pasta shapes like rotini or penne soak up the dressing and cradle those tasty salad bits in every forkful.
- Cooked Chicken Breast (2 cups, diced or shredded): Tender and lean, chicken adds satisfying protein and transforms this salad into a hearty main dish.
- Cherry Tomatoes (1 cup, halved): These little gems add juicy sweetness and color—try to find ripe ones for the best flavor.
- Cucumber (1 cup, diced): Crisp, refreshing cucumber brings cool crunch and balances the brininess.
- Kalamata Olives (1/2 cup, pitted and sliced): Deeply flavorful and briny, they deliver a little Mediterranean flair in every bite.
- Roasted Red Peppers (1/2 cup, sliced): Sweet, silky, and smoky, these brighten the whole bowl and play beautifully with the feta.
- Red Onion (1/4 cup, thinly sliced): Thin crescents of red onion bring sharpness and vivid color—soaking them in water briefly can mellow their bite.
- Feta Cheese (1/2 cup, crumbled): Salty, creamy feta is the ultimate tangy finish—don’t skip it!
- Fresh Parsley (1/4 cup, chopped): Herby parsley brings freshness and a pop of green to wake up the whole salad.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (1/3 cup): A rich, fruity base for the dressing that coats every morsel beautifully.
- Red Wine Vinegar (3 tablespoons): Adds bright acidity that lifts all the flavors.
- Lemon Juice (1 tablespoon): That zesty hit brings extra freshness and ties in the Mediterranean vibes.
- Dijon Mustard (1 teaspoon): For sharpness and helps emulsify the dressing, keeping it nice and creamy.
- Dried Oregano (1 teaspoon): Aromatic dried oregano infuses the dressing with savory depth.
- Garlic (1 clove, minced): Packs a punchy, aromatic note that ties all the salad’s flavors together.
- Salt and Black Pepper (to taste): The finishing touch—season just right to bring out every ingredient’s best.
How to Make Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Pasta
Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Add your rotini or penne and cook according to the package instructions until perfectly al dente. Remember, you want the pasta with a little bite so it doesn’t go mushy in the salad. Once done, drain and rinse under cold water to cool it down and keep those noodles from sticking together.
Step 2: Prepare the Salad Base
In your biggest mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, cooked chicken, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, Kalamata olives, roasted red peppers, red onion, crumbled feta, and fresh parsley. Give everything a gentle but thorough toss. It’s already looking like a Mediterranean feast and the bright colors are so inviting.
Step 3: Whisk the Dressing
In a small bowl or a jar with a tight-fitting lid, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, minced garlic, plus a pinch of salt and black pepper. Whisk until it’s smooth and well combined—the mustard really helps everything come together into a luscious vinaigrette.
Step 4: Dress and Toss the Salad
Pour that vibrant dressing over the salad base. Use salad tongs or two big spoons to gently toss until every piece of pasta and veggie is gleaming and coated with the herby vinaigrette. Take a taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt or lemon if you like a brighter bite.
Step 5: Chill and Let the Flavors Mingle
Transfer your Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe to the fridge and let it chill for at least 30 minutes. This gives all those lovely flavors a chance to mingle and really elevate the taste. The salad actually gets better as it sits, making it ideal for meal prepping or as a make-ahead side for gatherings.
How to Serve Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
Garnishes
Give your Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe a sprinkle of fresh parsley or extra feta right before serving. Add a final drizzle of olive oil or a few grinds of black pepper if you want to dial up the Mediterranean feel even further.
Side Dishes
This pasta salad is a satisfying meal on its own, but it also pairs beautifully with warm pita, a crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette, or a platter of hummus and cut veggies. If you’re feeding a crowd, round things out with grilled vegetables or a refreshing fruit platter.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn it into individual mason jar salads for meal prep, stuff scoops into lettuce cups for a lighter app, or serve atop a bed of tender greens for extra color and crunch. On a buffet, pile it high in a big white bowl and surround with lemon wedges for extra wow factor—all showcasing the Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe in its full, colorful glory.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers from your Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The pasta may absorb more dressing as it sits, so give it a quick toss before serving and add a splash of olive oil or lemon juice to refresh the flavors, if needed.
Freezing
This salad isn’t ideal for freezing, as the fresh vegetables and feta can lose their texture and become watery once thawed. To enjoy it at its best, keep it in the fridge and savor those leftovers within a few days.
Reheating
Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe is meant to be enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so no reheating is required! If you prefer it less chilled, allow it to sit out for 15-20 minutes before serving for the flavors to really shine.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Main Course, Salad
Absolutely! While rotini and penne are classic choices for holding lots of dressing and goodies, you can swap in any short pasta shape you love, such as farfalle, fusilli, or even orzo. Just make sure it’s cooked al dente for the best texture in your Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe.
Is there a vegetarian version of this salad?
Yes! Simply omit the chicken and add a can of drained chickpeas for a protein-rich vegetarian twist. It’s every bit as delicious, with all those Mediterranean flavors in every bite.
What’s the best way to prep this salad for a party?
Prep all your ingredients and the dressing ahead of time, but combine everything and toss with the vinaigrette shortly before serving. If you want to really impress, offer extra chopped herbs and feta for guests to add on top of their own serving.
How do I keep the pasta from sticking together?
Once you’ve drained your cooked pasta, rinse it thoroughly with cold water and toss with a tiny bit of olive oil if you’re not combining it with the other ingredients right away. This keeps everything loose and perfect for tossing together later.
Can I swap out feta for another kind of cheese?
Certainly! Creamy goat cheese or cubed fresh mozzarella are both delicious swaps if you want a milder or creamier flavor, and both pair fabulously with the other Mediterranean ingredients in the salad.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing, flavor-packed dish, you absolutely have to try this Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe. It’s a kitchen staple in my home for its color, ease, and big flavor, and I think you’re going to fall in love with every fresh, zesty bite. Enjoy making it your own and sharing it with the people you love!
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Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad: An Incredible Ultimate Recipe
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
A refreshing and satisfying Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad that combines tender pasta with juicy chicken, fresh vegetables, tangy olives, and creamy feta cheese, all tossed in a zesty homemade dressing. Perfect for a light meal or a side dish.
Ingredients
Main Salad:
- 12 oz rotini or penne pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/2 cup roasted red peppers, sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing:
- 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain, rinse under cold water, and set aside.
- Prepare Salad: In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, red peppers, red onion, feta, and parsley.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Toss and Chill: Pour dressing over salad, toss to coat, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For extra protein, consider adding chickpeas.
- Feel free to substitute feta with mozzarella or goat cheese.
- This salad is great for meal prep, picnics, or potlucks.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Salad
- Method: Boiling, assembly
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
