Description
Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad is a vibrant, wholesome meal packed with grilled chicken, crisp vegetables, tender pasta, and bold Mediterranean flavors like olives, feta, and a zesty vinaigrette. It’s light yet satisfying, ideal for lunches, meal prep, or warm-weather gatherings. With fresh ingredients and minimal effort, this salad brings a burst of coastal flavor to your table.
Ingredients
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2 cups cooked pasta (penne, fusilli, or rotini), cooled
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2 cooked chicken breasts, grilled or baked, diced
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1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
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1 cucumber, diced
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½ red onion, thinly sliced
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1 bell pepper, chopped
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1 cup baby spinach or arugula
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½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
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⅓ cup Kalamata olives, sliced
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¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
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¼ cup marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
For the Dressing:
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⅓ cup olive oil
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2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
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1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
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1 garlic clove, minced
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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½ teaspoon dried basil
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Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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Cook Chicken: Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and oregano. Grill, bake, or pan-fry until cooked through. Let rest, then slice.
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Cook Pasta: Boil in salted water until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to cool.
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Chop Vegetables: Dice cucumber, halve cherry tomatoes, slice onion, and chop peppers and greens.
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Make Dressing: In a bowl or jar, mix olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Whisk or shake until blended.
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Assemble Salad: In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, veggies, olives, feta, sun-dried tomatoes, and artichokes. Pour dressing over and toss gently.
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Chill & Serve: Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend.
Notes
For meal prep, store the dressing separately and mix before eating.
Substitute grilled tofu or chickpeas to make it vegetarian.
Gluten-free pasta works well as an alternative.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Do not freeze—texture will be affected.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (chicken and pasta)
- Category: Salad
- Method: Tossed / Assembled
- Cuisine: Mediterranean