Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad 

This vibrant salad combines tender chicken, al dente rotini, and a medley of fresh vegetables, all tossed in a zesty lemon oregano vinaigrette. It's a delightful, protein packed dish that's perfect for meal prep, picnics, or a light dinner.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 12 oz (340g) rotini pasta

• 1 lb (454g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

• Sea salt and black pepper, to taste

• 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

• 1/2 cup cucumber, diced

• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped

• 1/3 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved

• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

For the Vinaigrette:

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar

• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

• 1 garlic clove, minced

• 3/4 teaspoon sea salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook until golden and cooked through, about 8 minutes per side. Let rest for 10 minutes before dicing into bite-sized pieces.

2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add rotini and cook until al dente, about 9 minutes. Drain and set aside to cool.

3. Prepare the Vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.

4. Assemble the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled pasta, diced chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to coat.

5. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top and serve immediately, or refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

• Calories: 443 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 46.6 g

• Protein: 25.7 g

• Fat: 16.7 g

• Saturated Fat: 3 g

• Cholesterol: 52 mg

• Sodium: 1021.9 mg

• Potassium: 588.7 mg

• Fiber: 3.4 g

• Sugar: 3 g

• Vitamin A: 764.1 IU

• Vitamin C: 14.3 mg

• Calcium: 90.1 mg

• Iron: 1.8 mg