Greek-Style Chicken Pasta Salad
π Prep Time: 25 minutes
π Total Time: 25 minutes
π₯ Recipe Yield: 4-6 servings
Description:
Whenever there’s leftover chicken breast or cooked turkey in my kitchen, this Greek-style chicken pasta salad always comes to the rescue! A household favorite, it’s a delightful fusion of flavors, almost reminiscent of a traditional Greek salad. Boiling up a whole package of pasta shells ensures there’s plenty to go around, and while the dressing recipe doesn’t need doubling, I always toss in two medium chopped firm tomatoes to enhance the freshness. This salad is a medley of textures and tastes that will surely become a staple in your home too!
Ingredients:
| Ingredients | Quantities |
|---|---|
| Small shell pasta | 2-3 cups |
| Green onions | 1, chopped |
| Black olives | 4-6, sliced |
| Celery | 2 stalks, chopped |
| Green bell pepper | 1, diced |
| Red bell pepper | 1/2, diced |
| Feta cheese | 1/2 cup, crumbled |
| Red wine vinegar | 1/3 cup |
| Olive oil | 1/4 cup |
| Dijon mustard | 1 tbsp |
| Salt | to taste |
| Black pepper | to taste |
| Garlic powder | 1 tsp |
| Parmesan cheese | 1/4 cup, grated |
| Dried oregano | 1 tsp |
Instructions:
-
Cook Pasta: Begin by cooking the pasta as per the package instructions until it’s al dente. It’s essential not to overcook the pasta, so ensure it’s chewy and firm. Once done, drain the pasta well.
-
Rinse: Rinse the cooked pasta in cold water to halt the cooking process and cool it down.
-
Mix Pasta Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chopped green onions, sliced black olives, chopped celery, diced green bell pepper, diced red bell pepper, and crumbled feta cheese.
-
Prepare Dressing: In a separate bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, olive oil, Dijon mustard, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder until well combined.
-
Toss Salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta mixture and toss well to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
-
Chill: Allow the salad to chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving. This resting period allows the flavors to meld together beautifully.
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Garnish: Just before serving, sprinkle some more crumbled feta cheese on top to garnish and add an extra burst of flavor.
Additional Notes:
Since this salad is a household favorite, I usually cook the entire package of pasta at once. In such cases, I increase the quantities of vegetables accordingly. However, there’s no need to double the dressing ingredients unless you’re doubling the pasta quantity, as it might make the salad overly oily. Feel free to customize this recipe to your liking; for instance, you can add cooked bacon for an extra savory kick, though it’s entirely optional. Enjoy this delightful Greek-style chicken pasta salad as a main dish or as a refreshing side at your next gathering! π₯π
