High Protein Greek Pasta Salad (Printable Version)

Vibrant Mediterranean-style salad with whole wheat pasta, protein-rich chicken or chickpeas, crisp vegetables, and tangy feta in a light yogurt dressing.

# What You Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 7 ounces whole wheat penne or rotini pasta

→ 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:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to boil and cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and rinse under cold running water to stop cooking process. Set aside in colander.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked pasta, diced chicken breast, cubed feta cheese, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, diced bell pepper, and halved olives. Toss ingredients gently to distribute evenly.
03 - In a separate small 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. Use a large spoon or salad tongs to toss gently, ensuring all ingredients are evenly coated with dressing.
05 - Sprinkle chopped fresh dill or parsley over the top if desired. Serve immediately at room temperature, or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 48 hours to allow flavors to meld together.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It keeps beautifully in the fridge so you can meal prep Sunday and eat happily all week long
  • The protein power from chicken and feta actually keeps you full for hours unlike most pasta salads
  • Everyone at parties will ask you for the recipe guaranteed
02 -
  • Rinse your pasta under cold water immediately after draining or it will keep cooking and get mushy
  • Let the salad sit for at least 30 minutes before serving if you can stand it the flavors meld beautifully
  • The dressing will seem thick but the juices from the vegetables thin it out perfectly
03 -
  • Make extra dressing and keep it separate if you plan to meal prep for more than 2 days
  • Use a Greek seasoning blend instead of plain oregano for an even bigger flavor boost

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