If you’re craving a fresh, vibrant, and satisfying dish, this Chicken Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Feta, and Basil Recipe is going to become your new favorite go-to. It’s a delightful mix of tender cooked chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, and crumbly feta cheese, all brought to life with fragrant fresh basil and a tangy, garlicky dressing. This salad strikes the perfect balance between hearty and refreshing, making it an ideal meal for gatherings, quick lunches, or light dinners that never feel boring.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Keeping ingredients simple and fresh is the secret to making a stellar Chicken Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Feta, and Basil Recipe. Each component brings its own unique flavor, texture, and color, creating a delightful harmony on your plate.
- Cooked and cooled pasta (2 cups): Penne or rotini are perfect because their grooves catch the dressing beautifully.
- Cooked and chopped chicken breast (1 ½ cups): Adds a satisfying protein punch and heartiness to the salad.
- Cherry tomatoes, halved (1 cup): Burst of juicy sweetness that brightens the dish.
- Cucumber, diced (1 cup): Provides a cool, refreshing crunch with every bite.
- Black olives, sliced (½ cup): A slightly salty bite that complements the creamy feta.
- Red onion, thinly sliced (½ cup): Sharp and zesty, balancing the mild flavors.
- Feta cheese, crumbled (¾ cup): Creamy, tangy, and rich, giving the salad its luscious texture.
- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (¼ cup): Aromatic and herbaceous lift that ties everything together.
- Garlic, minced (1 clove): Adds a savory depth to the dressing.
- Olive oil (3 tablespoons): Quality oil enriches the dressing with smoothness.
- Balsamic vinegar (2 tablespoons): Delivers a sweet-tart contrast that enlivens the salad.
- Lemon juice (1 tablespoon): Brightens and freshens every mouthful.
- Salt and pepper to taste: Essential seasoning to balance all flavors.
How to Make Chicken Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Feta, and Basil Recipe
Step 1: Combine the Main Ingredients
Start by taking your large bowl and gently tossing together the cooked and cooled pasta, chopped chicken breast, halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced black olives, thinly sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and freshly chopped basil. This step lays the foundation, mixing vibrant colors and textures that instantly excite the senses. Be gentle here to keep the feta from breaking down too much and the vegetables crisp.
Step 2: Prepare the Zesty Dressing
In a smaller bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and fresh lemon juice. The garlic infuses a subtle punch, while the olive oil creates a silky base. The balsamic vinegar provides sweetness with a hint of tang and the lemon juice cuts through to keep everything bright. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper here to bring all the flavors up to their best.
Step 3: Dress and Toss the Salad
Pour the freshly made dressing over your combined ingredients and toss carefully until every mouthwatering element is coated in that delicious vinaigrette. This is where the magic happens: the flavors begin to mingle and blend, making every bite a perfect combination of tangy, savory, and fresh.
Step 4: Chill or Serve Immediately
For the best flavor, cover your salad and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. This resting time allows all those bright and savory flavors to harmonize beautifully. But if you’re in a hurry, this salad is still fantastic served right away at room temperature, bursting with freshness.
Step 5: Final Seasoning Check
Before plating, give your salad a quick taste test. Sometimes a little extra salt, pepper, or a splash more lemon juice can elevate it even further. Adjust to your liking to make it truly your own.
How to Serve Chicken Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Feta, and Basil Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh basil leaves or whole cherry tomatoes make excellent garnishes, adding an inviting pop of color on top. A sprinkle of extra crumbled feta invites creaminess and a few twists of freshly cracked black pepper enhance aroma and flavor right before serving.
Side Dishes
This salad is versatile enough to pair beautifully with crusty garlic bread for dipping, a crisp green side salad, or even some grilled vegetables for a colorful, Mediterranean-inspired spread. It’s also excellent alongside a cold glass of white wine or sparkling lemon water to keep things light and refreshing.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve this pasta salad in a large, clear glass bowl so all its vibrant ingredients shine through, or for a personal touch, scoop it into small mason jars for easy portable lunches or charming picnic portions. You can also stuff it into hollowed-out bell peppers for an elegant twist that’s both pretty and delicious.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover Chicken Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Feta, and Basil Recipe in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It stays delicious for up to 3 days, and the flavors will continue to deepen as it rests. Just give it a gentle stir before eating.
Freezing
This salad is best enjoyed fresh or chilled, so freezing is not recommended. The texture of fresh vegetables and the delicate feta can change when frozen and thawed, which might affect the overall experience.
Reheating
Since this is a cold pasta salad, reheating is unnecessary. If you prefer a slightly warmed dish, you can remove the chicken and pasta portion and warm those separately, then combine with fresh vegetables and dressing just before serving.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta for this salad?
Absolutely! While penne and rotini are excellent for holding dressing, farfalle, fusilli, or even small shells work wonderfully and will still capture the flavors beautifully.
Is it okay to substitute the chicken with something else?
Yes! Grilled shrimp or chickpeas are fantastic alternatives if you want to change things up or make it vegetarian-friendly. Just adjust the cooking times accordingly.
How long does the salad keep its freshness?
Stored properly in the fridge, the salad stays fresh for about 3 days. Beyond that, some of the veggies might get soggy, so it’s best enjoyed sooner rather than later.
Can I prepare the dressing in advance?
Definitely. The dressing can be whisked up and stored in the fridge for a couple of days. Just bring it back to room temperature and re-whisk before tossing it with the salad.
What if I don’t have fresh basil on hand?
Dried basil won’t deliver the same punch, but if fresh isn’t available, fresh parsley or mint can add nice freshness in a pinch.
Final Thoughts
This Chicken Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Feta, and Basil Recipe is a total winner whenever you need something fresh, satisfying, and bursting with flavor. It’s incredibly easy to put together, yet feels gourmet enough to impress guests or simply brighten your everyday meals. Give it a try and watch how this beautiful salad quickly becomes a beloved staple in your kitchen!
Print
Chicken Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Feta, and Basil Recipe
- Prep Time: 0h 20m
- Cook Time: 0h 0m
- Total Time: 0h 50m
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A refreshing and easy-to-make chicken pasta salad combining tender pasta, juicy chicken breast, fresh vegetables, and a tangy balsamic dressing, perfect for light lunches or potlucks.
Ingredients
Pasta and Protein
- 2 cups cooked and cooled pasta (penne or rotini work well)
- 1 ½ cups cooked and chopped chicken breast
Vegetables and Cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- ½ cup black olives, sliced
- ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¾ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- ¼ cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Dressing
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, red onion, feta cheese, and basil leaves. Toss gently to combine all the components evenly.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to your taste preference.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the pasta salad mixture. Toss everything together thoroughly so that all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill to Meld Flavors: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend and develop, or serve immediately if you prefer it at room temperature.
- Final Seasoning Check: Before serving, taste the salad and adjust seasoning if necessary to ensure balanced flavors.
Notes
- Cook pasta al dente and cool it completely before using to prevent sogginess.
- Use rotini or penne for better dressing absorption and texture.
- For added freshness, consider adding chopped fresh parsley or mint.
- Can be made a few hours ahead and kept refrigerated to enhance the flavor.
- This salad serves well as a light main dish or a side for barbecues and picnics.
