Description
A vibrant and protein-packed Grilled Chicken Chickpea Pasta Salad combining grilled chicken breast, nutritious chickpea pasta, fresh vegetables, and a zesty lemon-oregano dressing. Perfect for a healthy, filling, and refreshing meal ready in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Salad
- 8 oz chickpea pasta (about 225 g)
- 1 lb chicken breast (grilled and diced, about 450 g)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 cup cucumber (diced)
- 1/4 cup red onion (thinly sliced)
- 1/4 cup feta cheese (crumbled, optional)
Dressing
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season and Grill Chicken: Season the chicken breast with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Preheat a grill pan or grill over medium heat. Grill the chicken for 5 to 6 minutes per side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes, then dice into bite-sized pieces.
- Cook Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil on the stovetop. Add chickpea pasta and cook according to package instructions, usually 7 to 9 minutes, until al dente. Drain the pasta and rinse briefly under cold water to cool.
- Prepare Vegetables: Halve the cherry tomatoes. Dice the cucumber into small cubes. Thinly slice the red onion; soak in cold water for 5 minutes to mellow if desired, then drain.
- Make Dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth and combined.
- Assemble Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked chickpea pasta, diced grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Top with crumbled feta cheese if using.
- Toss and Chill: Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until everything is evenly coated. Cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to let flavors meld before serving.
Notes
- For a milder onion flavor, soak sliced red onions in cold water for 5 minutes before adding to the salad.
- Feta cheese is optional and can be omitted for a dairy-free version.
- Chickpea pasta provides extra protein and fiber compared to traditional pasta.
- Grilled chicken ensures a smoky flavor, but leftover cooked chicken can be substituted to save time.
- Make sure to rest the chicken after grilling to keep it juicy and tender.
- This salad tastes even better after chilling as flavors meld beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
