Ingredients
– 2 cups rotini pasta
– 2 cups cooked chicken, diced
– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1 cup cucumber, diced
– 1 cup bell pepper, diced (any color)
– ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
– ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
– ¾ cup feta cheese, crumbled
– ½ cup fresh parsley, chopped
– ⅓ cup olive oil
– 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
– 1 teaspoon dried oregano
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
Follow these straightforward steps to create your own Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad:
1. Cook the Pasta: In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add rotini pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside to cool.
2. Prepare the Chicken: If you haven’t already, cook your chicken (grill or pan-sear) until golden and firm. Let it rest before dicing.
3. Chop the Vegetables: While the pasta and chicken are cooling, prepare your vegetables—dice cucumbers, halve cherry tomatoes, and chop parsley.
4. Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and parsley.
5. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, and dried oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss until everything is well coated.
7. Chill (Optional): For enhanced flavors, cover the salad and chill in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before serving.
8. Taste and Adjust: After chilling, taste your salad and adjust seasoning if necessary.
9. Serve: Transfer to a serving platter or individual bowls for easy serving.
These simple instructions will guide you in crafting a dish bursting with flavor and vibrant colors!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Fat: 25g
- Protein: 28g