Description
This Easy High-Protein Pasta Salad is a nutritious and flavorful dish perfect for quick lunches or light dinners. Combining whole-grain pasta with lean chicken breast and a variety of fresh vegetables, it offers a balanced meal rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats. The tangy homemade dressing with olive oil, red wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard ties all the ingredients together for a refreshing and satisfying salad that can be enjoyed immediately or chilled to enhance the flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta Salad Ingredients
- 8 oz whole-grain pasta
- 1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup black olives, sliced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the whole-grain pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
- Cool the pasta: Drain the cooked pasta and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down, preventing it from becoming mushy.
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, salt, and pepper until well combined and emulsified.
- Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooled pasta, diced cooked chicken breast, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, crumbled feta cheese, sliced black olives, and chopped fresh parsley.
- Toss with dressing: Pour the dressing over the combined salad ingredients and toss gently to ensure everything is evenly coated.
- Serve or refrigerate: Serve the pasta salad immediately for a fresh taste or refrigerate for up to 3 days to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Notes
- Use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and add chickpeas or your favorite beans.
- This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Feel free to customize the vegetables based on seasonal availability or personal preference.
- To keep the salad fresher longer, add the feta cheese just before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
