High Protein Greek Pasta Salad (Printable)
Vibrant Mediterranean pasta with chicken, feta, crisp vegetables, and tangy yogurt dressing
# What's Needed:
→ Pasta
01 - 7 ounces whole wheat penne or rotini
→ Protein
02 - 10.5 ounces cooked chicken breast, diced
03 - 7 ounces reduced-fat feta cheese, cubed
04 - 7 ounces plain nonfat Greek yogurt
→ Vegetables
05 - 1 large cucumber, diced
06 - 7 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
09 - 2.8 ounces pitted Kalamata olives, halved
→ Dressing
10 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
12 - 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
13 - 1 clove garlic, minced
14 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
16 - Fresh dill or parsley, chopped (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package directions. Drain thoroughly, rinse under cold water to stop cooking process, and set aside in colander.
02 - In a large serving bowl, combine cooked pasta, diced chicken breast, cubed feta cheese, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, and Kalamata olives. Toss ingredients gently to distribute evenly.
03 - In a small mixing bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Continue whisking until mixture is completely smooth and emulsified.
04 - Pour prepared dressing over salad mixture. Using a large spoon, toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated. Garnish with chopped fresh dill or parsley if desired. Serve immediately or refrigerate in airtight container for up to 48 hours to allow flavors to develop.
# Tips for Success:
01 -
- The Greek yogurt dressing creates an incredibly creamy texture without the heavy mayonnaise coating that weighs down traditional pasta salads
- Meal prep becomes effortless when this salad keeps beautifully for days, actually tasting better as the flavors develop together
02 -
- Rinsing your pasta immediately after cooking is the secret to preventing sticky clumps and keeping each piece perfectly separate in the final salad
- The dressing initially seems too thick, but the vegetables release moisture as they sit, creating the ideal consistency after a brief chilling period
03 -
- Letting the dressed salad rest for at least 30 minutes before serving transforms it from good to absolutely spectacular
- Salt your pasta water generously since the pasta itself needs seasoning, not just the dressing