Quick Classic Greek Chicken Pasta Salad

Quick Classic Greek Chicken Pasta Salad is as tasty as it is visually beautiful. This is a crowd pleaser that’s perfect for any occasion. Rotini, green olives, feta cheese and chicken come together perfectly with a Greek vinaigrette. The freshness from the onion, cucumber and tomato adds the perfect amount of brightness and crunch.

Nothing says summertime like an excellently made pasta salad. I am very particular about my pasta salad. Hey, if you’re going to be eating carbs at a cookout, they better be extra flavor filled!

Greek salad was first introduced to me as a wee lass. Italian subs with all the fixings and Greek salads were my Dad’s absolute favorite. My mother was a hater of feta cheese so there was no chance I’d be introduced to it by her. I was hooked instantly. I love the salty brininess that you get with feta cheese. It’s so versatile and makes a great addition to so many different recipes.

My Dad would always share his takeout Greek salads with me as a kid and I am eternally grateful. He also taught me how to make his Easy Delicious Shrimp Scampi. Shrimp Scampi does not come together any easier and more flavorful than in this easy-to-follow recipe.

Besides feta cheese, a hallmark of a Greek salad is of course, olives. Nothing offers more briny saltiness than olives. I love all olives. Seriously. Give me all the olives. This recipe uses green olives. I find that they seem to be the most universally liked and they would be my favorite. Miss Vivianna and I snack on olives very regularly. It was a gigantic craving early on in my pregnancy with her so it makes sense that she olives just as much as her mama. Maybe, even a little bit more.

This recipe is so quick and easy to throw together. It’s truly effortless. There really is nothing better than a super fast recipe that’s equally as tasty. Pastas are so amazing for making meals that come together quickly. Be sure to give my Hamburger Helper a try for your next busy weeknight meal.

This pasta salad takes the best parts of a Greek salad and combines them with rotini. Rotini is excellent in absorbing the flavors of the pasta salad. The grilled chicken, fresh veggies and Greek vinaigrette pair great with this pasta.

This is a recipe that is absolutely perfect to take to the office potluck, a family BBQ or any other occasion. It’s also a wonderful option for nights that you need to feed a crowd. Bringing this dish is guaranteed to put a smile on everybody’s faces.

In my opinion, functions, parties, holidays, etc. are always really about the side dishes. And this pasta salad will be something that you are proud to put on the food table. My other favorite recipes for such occasions are my Easy Spanish Rice and Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad with Ham and Peas.

Can I make this Quick Classic Greek Chicken Pasta Salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, the flavors will come together even better if you leave it in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight before serving. When storing, make sure you cover tightly. This pasta salad will stay good in your refrigerator for 4-5 days.

Can I use a different pasta for this other than rotini?

Of course you can! You are allowed to use any short pasta that your heart desires. I love rotini because I feel like it absorbs a lot of flavor due to its twisty shape. However, you have so many options that you can use instead. Any short pasta that you have on hand or whatever your favorite is will work just fine. Try some of these options:

• Tortellini – A cheese stuffed tortellini would really elevate this recipe.
• Tri-color
• Penne
• Ziti
• Rigatoni
• Macaroni
• Fusilli
• Orecchiette
• Shells
• Farfalle (bowtie)

What kind of chicken should I use in this recipe?

Perdue chicken shortcuts are my favorite time savers for recipes like this. I use the Grilled Italian Style chicken. You just chop it up and throw it in the bowl. No need to even warm it up in the microwave. The grilled flavor is my second favorite. Original and carved chicken would also work perfect in this Greek pasta salad.

If you have a vegetarian in the crowd, just completely omit the chicken all together. The fresh vegetables, rotini and vinaigrette only will not disappoint. Another idea is to still chop your Perdue chicken shortcuts but just serve them on the side in another bowl. That way, people can add a little to the top of their Greek pasta salad if they wish.

What are some add-in options for this pasta salad?

This recipe turns out so flavorful and fresh. But I believe that all recipes are guidelines for you to get creative. Recipes are the foundation for you to build up your creative house. Add in whatever it is that you love and it will only enhance the flavor. Some ideas for things that would be tasty in this pasta salad recipe are:

• Kalamata olives
• Pepperoncini
• Creamy Greek dressing instead of a vinaigrette
• Salami
• Ham
• Bell peppers
• Parsley
• Basil
• Dill
• Oregano
• Chickpeas
• Carrots
• Celery
• Corn
• Mushrooms – fresh or jarred marinated mushrooms
• Broccoli
• Shredded parmesan cheese

Instructions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil on high heat. Prepare boxed rotini pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water until the pasta is completely cooled. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.

To the mixing bowl, add chopped Perdue Shortcuts Chicken Breast, feta cheese, green olives, cucumber, cherry tomatoes and purple onion.

Add Wishbone Greek Vinaigrette, salt and black pepper. Stir until mixed completely. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Hungry for more recipes?

• Easy Chicken Caesar Wraps are delicious and insanely quick to throw together. Using various shortcuts, this is a lunch that you will be able to enjoy in under 10 minutes. The freshness of the vegetables paired with the smoky crispy bacon make this wrap a lunchtime favorite.
• Creamy Chicken Broccoli Ziti with Jarred Alfredo is a classic dish made with plenty of shortcut options for an easy weeknight meal. With only 8 ingredients and 45 minutes from start to finish, you will have a phenomenal dinner.
• Chicken Cordon Bleu White Lasagna is extremely rich and oh so decadent. The layers consist of ham, chicken, swiss, ricotta, alfredo sauce and of course, lasagna noodles. The top layer is very flavorful. The top layer of the no-boil lasagna is covered with mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, black pepper and dried oregano.
• Spinach Bacon Feta Fettuccine is a dinner that combines speed and flavor. It’s perfect for a family weeknight dinner and a great option if you’re having guests you want to impress. You get delicious saltiness from the bacon and feta. The lemony parmesan sauce adds the perfect amount of citrusy balance. And the spinach and cherry tomatoes deliver great freshness to this recipe.
• Quick Crockpot Curry Chicken & Sweet Potato Soup is a fast and easy dinner. This soup comes together so quickly and curry offers the chicken and sweet potato a warm and comforting flavor. The creaminess in the soup comes right from the sweet potatoes and the secret healthy ingredient in this recipe is bone broth.

What’s your favorite thing to bring to a BBQ or potluck? Let me know in the comments below. I love hearing from you guys. Did you make any alterations to your Quick Classic Greek Chicken Pasta Salad? Let me know. I’m always looking for new ideas to mix-up my recipes. Thank you, as always, for supporting the Spice and Sugar Mama food blog!