Whole Wheat Pasta Salad with Chicken
Light, wholesome, and packed with vibrant Mediterranean flavors, this Whole Wheat Pasta Salad with Chicken is the ultimate combination of healthy and delicious. Featuring tender whole wheat pasta, juicy pan-seared chicken, crisp cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes, and tangy crumbled feta, this protein-packed salad is tossed in a zesty homemade dressing with lemon, honey, and Dijon mustard. Fresh basil adds a fragrant finish, while a quick chill in the refrigerator ensures the flavors meld perfectly. Whether served as a quick lunch, a weeknight dinner, or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, this easy-to-make recipe is ready in just 35 minutes and will leave you craving every bite. Keywords: whole wheat pasta salad, chicken pasta salad, healthy pasta salad, Mediterranean pasta salad, easy dinner ideas.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 2 cups Whole wheat pasta
- 1 pound Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons Olive oil
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove Garlic, minced
- 1.5 cups Cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup Cucumber, diced
- 0.25 cup Red onion, thinly sliced
- 0.5 cup Feta cheese, crumbled
- 0.25 cup Fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 teaspoon Black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon Optional: crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the whole wheat pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8–10 minutes. Drain the pasta, rinse in cold water, and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken breasts with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 6–7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and browned on the outside. Set the chicken on a cutting board to rest for 5 minutes, then slice into bite-sized pieces.
In a small bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon juice, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, and optional crushed red pepper flakes to make the dressing.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped basil.
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring the dressing coats all the ingredients evenly.
Chill the pasta salad in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together, or serve immediately if desired.
Garnish with additional fresh basil or feta (optional) and serve. Enjoy your Whole Wheat Pasta Salad with Chicken!
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1956 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 87.8 g | 113% | |
| Saturated Fat | 28.4 g | 142% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 486 mg | 162% | |
| Sodium | 4108 mg | 179% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 113.4 g | 41% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 19.2 g | 69% | |
| Total Sugars | 23.6 g | ||
| Protein | 178.4 g | 357% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 800 mg | 62% | |
| Iron | 13.1 mg | 73% | |
| Potassium | 2854 mg | 61% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
