Greek Pasta Salad Recipe 🥗
Overview:
Prepare to delight your taste buds with this refreshing and flavorful Greek Pasta Salad! Bursting with vibrant colors and zesty flavors, this dish is perfect for a quick meal or as a side dish at your next gathering. With a harmonious blend of tender pasta, succulent chicken, juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, tangy red onion, creamy feta cheese, and briny kalamata olives, each bite is a symphony of taste sensations. Tossed in a simple yet delicious dressing made with fresh lemon juice, fragrant olive oil, and aromatic dried oregano, this salad is a true crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re craving a light lunch or a flavorful accompaniment to your main course, this Greek Pasta Salad is sure to satisfy!
Ingredients:
Quantity | Ingredient |
---|---|
2 cups | Pasta |
2 cups | Cooked chicken |
1/2 cup | Cherry tomatoes |
1 | Cucumber |
1/2 | Red onion |
3 tbsp | Fresh lemon juice |
2 tsp | Salt |
1/2 cup | Olive oil |
1 1/2 tsp | Dried oregano |
4 oz | Feta cheese |
1/2 cup | Kalamata olives |
Instructions:
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Prepare Ingredients: Begin by gathering all the ingredients required for the Greek Pasta Salad recipe.
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Cook Pasta: Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until it is al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside to cool slightly.
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Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, diced chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and thinly sliced red onion.
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Prepare Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the fresh lemon juice and salt until the salt dissolves completely. Then, add the olive oil and dried oregano to the lemon juice mixture, stirring until well combined.
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Toss Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture in the large bowl. Gently toss everything together until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing.
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Add Feta and Olives: Crumble the feta cheese over the salad and add the kalamata olives.
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Final Toss: Gently toss the salad once more to incorporate the feta cheese and olives evenly throughout.
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Chill and Serve: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the Greek Pasta Salad for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld together.
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Serve: Once chilled, give the salad a final toss before serving. Garnish with additional fresh herbs or a sprinkle of feta cheese if desired. Serve and enjoy!
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 268.6
- Total Fat: 18.1g
- Saturated Fat: 4.3g
- Cholesterol: 13.4mg
- Sodium: 814.9mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 21.7g
- Fiber: 1.7g
- Sugar: 2.8g
- Protein: 5.8g
Tips:
- For added protein, you can use grilled or roasted chicken breast in place of cooked chicken.
- Customize the salad by adding your favorite Greek ingredients such as artichoke hearts, bell peppers, or fresh herbs like parsley or dill.
- Make a larger batch of the dressing and store it in the refrigerator for future use on other salads or as a marinade for grilled meats or vegetables.
- This Greek Pasta Salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Just be sure to give it a good toss before serving to redistribute the dressing and flavors.
Conclusion:
With its vibrant colors, fresh flavors, and easy preparation, this Greek Pasta Salad is a delightful addition to any meal. Whether served as a light lunch, a side dish, or even as a main course, it’s guaranteed to be a hit with family and friends alike. Enjoy the taste of the Mediterranean with every delicious forkful of this refreshing salad!