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High-Protein Greek Pasta Salad


  • Total Time: 25-27 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

This flavorful Greek pasta salad is packed with protein, making it perfect for meal prep and a satisfying summer food option. It’s a dish that brings together vibrant Mediterranean flavors with the hearty goodness of pasta and lean protein, creating a balanced and delicious meal that’s as easy to prepare as it is to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a healthy lunch to take to work, a simple dinner side, or a crowd-pleasing dish for your next potluck, this high-protein Greek pasta salad ticks all the boxes. It’s designed for busy home cooks who want nutritious, tasty meals without spending hours in the kitchen.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces rotini or other short pasta
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 English cucumber, diced
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

  • Instructions

    1. Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the rotini pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. This usually takes about 10-12 minutes. The pasta should be tender but still have a slight bite.

    2. Drain and cool the pasta: Once cooked, drain the pasta thoroughly in a colander. Rinse it with cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down quickly. This prevents the pasta from becoming mushy and helps keep the salad fresh. Let it drain well.

    3. Prepare the vegetables: While the pasta is cooking and cooling, dice your English cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and halve the Kalamata olives. Chop the fresh parsley. Aim for uniform sizes for an appealing presentation and even distribution of flavors.

    4. Whisk the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, dried oregano, and garlic powder. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Whisk vigorously or shake the jar until the dressing is well combined and slightly emulsified.

    5. Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the cooled pasta, diced cooked chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped parsley.

    6. Dress the salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the pasta and vegetable mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the flavorful dressing.

    7. Chill and serve: For best results, cover the bowl and refrigerate the pasta salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This chilling time is crucial for the dressing to fully infuse the ingredients. Serve chilled.

    • Prep Time: 15 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
    • Category: main dish
    • Method: no cook
    • Cuisine: mediterranean

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 serving

    Keywords: greek, pasta salad, chicken, mediterranean, meal prep, healthy, summer, easy, protein, salad