Go Back
+ servings
close up of greek chicken pasta salad in a large bowl garnished with lemon and herbs
Print

Greek Chicken Pasta Salad

This Greek Chicken Pasta Salad features kalamata olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, and artichoke hearts tossed with penne in a tangy tzatziki-inspired dressing.
Course Main Course
Cuisine Greek
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 475kcal
Author Amee

Ingredients

  • 6 oz plain Greek yogurt I recommend full-fat for best creamy texture and taste
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 3 garlic cloves can use 1-2 cloves if you prefer a more mild garlic flavor
  • 16 oz uncooked penne pasta I like to use Dreamfield's lower-carb pasta
  • 24 oz chicken breast cooked and chopped into bite-size pieces
  • 1 cup pitted kalamata olives drained 
  • 2 cucumbers peeled, seeded and sliced
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes sliced in half
  • 14 oz artichoke hearts drained and chopped. Regular canned artichoke hearts or marinated for added flavor.
  • 4 oz crumbled feta cheese I go for whole feta...more flavor and creamier

Instructions

  • Process first 7 ingredients in a food processor 30 seconds or until thoroughly blended.  Transfer to a bowl, cover, and chill while you prepare the pasta.  
  • Cook pasta according to package directions; drain and rinse with cold water.  
  • Place cooled pasta in a large bowl. Stir in chicken, olives, cucumbers, tomatoes, and artichokes until well blended.
  • Add yogurt mixture and stir until well coated.  Top with crumbled feta cheese.  
  • Cover and chill at least 1 hour, or until ready to serve.  Toss well before serving and garnish with chopped fresh herbs (dill and/or parsley) and lemon slices, if desired.

Notes

  • To make grilled Greek Chicken - Grill chicken marinated in Greek dressing over medium-high heat until the internal temperature reaches 160F (4 to 5 minutes per side depending on thickness). Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
  • Fresh lemon zest - Before squeezing the lemon, remove the zest. You can add it to the creamy dressing for a bolder citrus flavor or sprinkle a bit on top as a garnish.
  • Making ahead - Stir the salad together the night before, so all you have to do is give it a quick toss and add the chicken before serving.
  • Nutrition info is for using regular penne pasta. You can lower the carbs by using a lower carb pasta variety.

Nutrition

Calories: 475kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 1017mg | Potassium: 727mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 500IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 2mg