Description
How to make Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad with tender chicken, al dente pasta, feta, and fresh veggies that’s perfect for light summer lunches.
Ingredients
- Main Components:
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 1 pound orzo pasta
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 large cucumber, diced
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- Zesty Dressing & Aromatics:
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
Instructions
- Prep Veggies: Dice cucumber, halve tomatoes and olives, mince garlic, chop dill and parsley, and thinly slice red onion. This speeds up assembly later, ensuring all your fresh components are ready to shine in the Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad.
- Cook Orzo: Boil salted water, then cook orzo pasta according to package directions until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Drain it well and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped dill, and parsley. Season with sea salt and black pepper, whisking until well combined and slightly emulsified.
- Combine Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooled orzo, shredded chicken, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, and Kalamata olives. Gently toss these main components together, making sure they’re evenly distributed.
- Dress & Fold: Pour the zesty dressing over the pasta and chicken mixture. Add the crumbled feta cheese and thinly sliced red onion. Gently fold everything together until all ingredients are well coated and flavors meld for your Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad.
- Chill Salad: For best flavor, cover the Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This allows the dressing to truly permeate the ingredients, enhancing the brightness and zest.
- Serve Fresh: Give the salad a final gentle toss before serving. Garnish with extra fresh dill or parsley if desired. Enjoy this Bright & Zesty Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad Perfection chilled for a refreshing meal.
Notes
Cook orzo strictly al dente and rinse immediately with cold water to avoid mushy, sticky pasta.
Store Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Small pasta shapes like ditalini, small shells, or rotini can be used instead of orzo for this salad.
Serve this Bright & Zesty Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad thoroughly chilled, perhaps with warm pita bread.
Prep veggies and dressing a day ahead, storing separately; combine and dress a few hours before serving.
For deeper flavor, lightly toast dry orzo pasta before boiling; it adds incredible nutty depth.
**Allergy Information:** Dairy, Gluten