High Protein Greek Pasta Salad (Printable)

Vibrant Mediterranean salad with pasta, chicken, feta, crisp vegetables, and creamy yogurt dressing.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Pasta

01 - 7 oz whole wheat penne or rotini

→ Protein

02 - 10.5 oz cooked chicken breast, diced (or 1 can chickpeas, drained, for vegetarian option)
03 - 7 oz reduced-fat feta cheese, cubed
04 - 7 oz Greek yogurt, plain, nonfat

→ Vegetables

05 - 1 large cucumber, diced
06 - 7 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
09 - 2.8 oz 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 - Optional: fresh dill or parsley, chopped

# How to Prepare:

01 - Prepare pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly, rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking, and set aside in a large bowl.
02 - Add cooked pasta, chicken or chickpeas, cubed feta cheese, diced cucumber, halved tomatoes, sliced red onion, diced bell pepper, and halved olives to the mixing bowl.
03 - In a separate small bowl, whisk Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper until completely smooth and emulsified.
04 - Pour dressing evenly over salad mixture. Gently fold and toss ingredients until thoroughly coated with dressing. Take care not to break up cheese cubes or delicate vegetables.
05 - Sprinkle with chopped fresh dill or parsley if using. Serve immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 48 hours to allow flavors to develop fully.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The protein boost from Greek yogurt and chicken keeps you full for hours without that heavy pasta coma feeling
  • Everything tastes brighter after sitting in the fridge, making it the holy grail of meal prep
02 -
  • The pasta absorbs dressing as it sits, so it will taste even better the next day
  • Waiting to add the feta until right before serving keeps it from becoming too salty
03 -
  • Skip the pasta entirely and use cauliflower rice for a keto version
  • Let the dressed salad sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving for maximum flavor

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