This Greek chicken pasta salad is light, fresh, and packed with flavor from juicy chicken, crisp vegetables, salty feta cheese, pasta, and a zesty Greek lemon dressing. It is easy to make, ready in 30 minutes, and perfect for meal prep, summer lunches, picnics, potlucks, or an easy dinner.
I kept this Greek chicken pasta salad simple with ingredients I had on hand. I skipped Kalamata olives because my kids don't like them, and left out red onion for a milder flavor. You can add both for a more classic Greek-style taste.
This Greek pasta salad with chicken is so flavorful. Tangy lemon dressing, salty feta cheese, juicy chicken, crunchy vegetables, and pasta make every bite fresh and satisfying.
Love summer salads? You might also like this Greek Yogurt Coleslaw, Grilled Chicken Avocado Salad, Chinese Chicken Salad, and Asian Slaw.
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Why this Greek Chicken Pasta Salad is a winner
- Easy to make: This chicken pasta salad recipe comes together in just 30 minutes. Cook the chicken and pasta, chop the vegetables, and toss everything together with the flavorful Greek dressing.
- Fresh & flavorful: Juicy chicken, tender pasta, crunchy vegetables, salty feta cheese, and tangy Greek dressing make every bite fresh, light, and delicious.
- Meal prep friendly: Make the chicken and pasta ahead of time and store them in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator. Assemble the salad when ready to serve. It stays good for 3 5 days.
- Perfect for summer meals: This Greek chicken pasta salad is perfect for summer lunches, picnics, potlucks, BBQs, or an easy make-ahead dinner.
- Easy to scale: Serving a crowd? Simply double or triple the ingredients to make a bigger batch for parties or family gatherings.
Ingredients Notes
This Chicken Pasta Salad with Greek Dressing is easy to make and endlessly customizable. For a detailed list of ingredients and their measurements, check out the recipe card below. Here’s what you will need.
- Pasta: Short, twisty-shaped pasta is a classic choice, such as fusilli or rotini. You can also use Bowtie (Farfalle) pasta.
- Chicken: I have used boneless, skinless chicken breasts for this Greek chicken pasta salad. You can choose boneless skinless chicken thighs or even chicken tenders. If you have leftover grilled chicken, you can use that too.
- Vegetables: I used cucumber, red pepper, and cherry tomatoes. You can add red onions, steamed broccoli, or chopped baby spinach.
- Feta Cheese: Optional, but highly recommended. Feta adds a salty, creamy flavor that makes this Greek chicken pasta salad taste fresh and delicious.
- Herbs: Parsley is used for this recipe. Substitute it with fresh cilantro or basil.
For Greek Salad Dressing
The secret to the most flavorful Greek Chicken Pasta Salad is the dressing. This Greek salad dressing is inspired by Greek vinaigrette made with fresh lemon juice. This versatile dressing serves two purposes: marinating the chicken and dressing the salad.
- Lemon Juice: Fresh lemon juice brightens up the flavor of this Greek salad recipe. Substitute with white vinegar or rice vinegar.
- Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil gives the best Greek flavor, but avocado oil works too.
- Honey: Sugar or maple syrup can be used as a substitute for honey in equal amounts. If you prefer a sugar-free option, omit the honey altogether.
- Dried Oregano: Dried oregano gives this salad its classic Greek flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves are the best. Skip if not available.
Variations
- Add Kalamata olives for a classic Greek flavor.
- Add red onion for extra crunch.
- Use grilled shrimp instead of chicken.
- Add baby spinach or steamed broccoli.
- Make it spicy with red pepper flakes.
How to make Greek Chicken Pasta Salad (Step By Step Photos)
Make the Greek Salad Dressing: In a mason jar, add all the Greek salad dressing ingredients:
- 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice (substitute rice vinegar or white wine vinegar)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1.5 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp minced garlic
Close the lid. Shake well to emulsify (combine well) them.
Marinate the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts for even cooking or slice them in half. Place the chicken breasts in a bowl or zip lock bags. Toss with 3 tablespoons of the dressing and a pinch of salt. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
Cook Pasta: While the chicken is marinating, cook pasta. Boil salted water and add 400 grams of pasta. Cook it as per the instructions given on the package. Drain the pasta in a colander and keep it aside.
Cook the Chicken: Heat a pan over medium heat and cook the chicken breasts until cooked through, turning them over once for even cooking. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before chopping.
Assemble the Greek Salad: In a large bowl, add the cooked pasta and other ingredients:
- 1 English cucumber, diced (about 1.5 cups)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cups sliced cherry tomatoes
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Pour the remaining dressing over the salad and toss everything together to coat evenly. Taste and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt or pepper if needed. I have added red pepper flakes, which are optional, but I like the spicy kick they give to my salad.
Chill & serve: For the best results, chill the salad in the refrigerator for 1 hour before serving. It tastes best cold!
How to Store?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This salad tastes best cold. If making ahead, keep extra dressing separate and toss before serving. This is not freezer-friendly because vegetables lose texture when thawed.
Recipe FAQs
Yes. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. For the best texture, keep extra dressing separate and toss it just before serving.
Short pasta like rotini, fusilli, farfalle, penne, or cavatappi works best because it holds the dressing well.
Yes. Grilled chicken, rotisserie chicken, or leftover baked chicken works great.
Yes. Feta adds a salty Greek flavor, but you can skip it or replace it with Parmesan.
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Recipe Card
Greek Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
Video
Equipment
- 1 A large mixing bowl
- 1 A Pan or a Skillet
Ingredients
For Greek Dressing
- 3 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (substitute rice vinegar or white wine vinegar)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1.5 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
For Greek Chicken Pasta Salad
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (pounded for even cooking)
- 400 grams uncooked rotini pasta (read notes for substitutes)
- 1 English cucumber diced (about 1.5 cups)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cups sliced cherry tomatoes
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Make the Greek Salad Dressing: In a jar, combine all the Greek salad dressing ingredients and shake well to emulsify them.
- Marinate the Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts or slice it in half. Place the chicken breasts in a bowl or zip lock bags and toss with 3 tablespoons of the prepared Greek dressing and a pinch of salt. Cover and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Cook Pasta: While the chicken is marinating cook pasta. Boil salted water and add pasta. Cook it as per the instructions given on the package. Drain the pasta in a colander and keep it aside.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a pan over medium heat and cook the chicken breasts until cooked through, turning them over once for even cooking. Let the chicken cool for 5 minutes before chopping it.
- Assemble the Greek Salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chopped cucumber, red bell pepper, cherry tomatoes, cooked chicken, parsley, and feta cheese. Pour the remaining dressing over the salad and toss everything together to coat evenly. Taste and adjust the seasoning like add more salt or pepper if needed. I added red pepper flakes (optional).
- Chill and serve: For the best results, chill the salad in the refrigerator for 1 hour before serving. It tastes best cold!
Notes
- The pasta you choose for your Greek Chicken Pasta Salad plays a big role in both texture and how well it captures the dressing. Short, twisty shape pasta is a classic choice like fusilli or rotini. Even you can use Bowtie (Farfalle) is a good choice.
- While chicken is classic, you can use leftover grilled steak, shrimp, tofu, or chickpeas for a vegetarian option. You can also use your leftover grilled chicken to make this Greek chicken pasta salad.
- Cook the pasta aldente. Boil water, add salt, and cook pasta as per the package instructions.
- The recipe can be conveniently scaled up to serve more people. Simply double or triple all ingredient quantities.
- Read our full nutrition disclaimer here.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
ashana
I made this Greek chicken pasta salad. Tastes so fresh and light. Surely going to make it again.
Preeti
Glad you liked this salad.