Description
This Chicken Pasta Salad is a refreshing and nutritious dish perfect for a light lunch or a picnic. Combining cooked pasta, tender chicken breast, fresh vegetables, and a zesty homemade dressing, it offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The addition of feta cheese and fresh basil leaves enhances the salad with Mediterranean-inspired notes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups of cooked and cooled pasta (penne or rotini work well)
- 1 ½ cups cooked and chopped chicken breast
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¾ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Dressing
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked and cooled pasta, chopped chicken breast, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced black olives, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped fresh basil leaves. Gently toss the ingredients together to distribute them evenly.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to your taste preference, blending thoroughly to create a smooth dressing.
- Toss Pasta Salad with Dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Toss gently until all components are well coated with the dressing, ensuring even flavor throughout.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Alternatively, you can serve the salad immediately if you prefer it at room temperature.
- Adjust Seasoning Before Serving: Just before serving, taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary for your preferred flavor balance.
Notes
- This salad is best served chilled but can be served at room temperature if preferred.
- Pasta should be cooked al dente and fully cooled before mixing to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
- You can substitute chicken breast with grilled chicken or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and increase feta and vegetables.
- Adding fresh herbs like parsley or oregano can enhance the flavor profile.
