Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad (Gluten Free)

This delicious mediterranean chicken pasta salad is ready in only 15 minutes!! Perfect for the warmer months, it's super easy to make, packed with nutrients, and ideal for meal prep! Gluten-free & dairy-free.Video recipe on recipe card.

I grew up in Mallorca, and pasta salads were my everyday meal for those long summer days at the beach. They’re so convenient and tasty!!

I love salads, especially in summer! Like this quick and easy vegan pasta salad, mediterranean sardine salad or my mediterranean butter beans salad. They are easy to prepare, require minimal cooking, and are fresh & nutritious.

Jump to:

• Ingredients list
• How to make this Mediterranean pasta salad
• Substitutions
• Why you will love this healthy pasta salad!
• Equipment
• Leftover salad? Store it in the fridge!
• FAQs About Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe
• Love This Recipe? Let's Stay Connected!
• Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad (Gluten-Free)
• Other Mediterranean Recipes For You!
• See what other people think about this recipe!

Ingredients list

This Mediterranean chicken pasta salad is loaded with fresh & healthy Mediterranean ingredients!

• Buckwheat spirals
• Grilled chicken (chicken tenders or chicken breast work great)
• Canned artichokes
• Kalamata olives
• Capers
• Rocket
• Cherry tomatoes
• Mustard dressing with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar (seeded mustard or dijon mustard work great)

See recipe card for quantities.

How to make this Mediterranean pasta salad

Salads are the best, because they're super easy and quick to make!!

1. Start by grilling the chicken breast, and boil the pasta while the chicken cooks. Slice the chicken once it's ready, and drain pasta.
2. Cut the cherry tomatoes, olives & artichokes. In a large bowl add all the ingredients, and homemade dressing, and mix well to combine. Voila, it's ready!

Tip: boil the buckwheat pasta gently on medium heat, so it doesn't break apart.

Substitutions

One of the great things about salads is that you can mix & match the ingredients, and get creative with what you have in your fridge and pantry.

• Other leafy greens - instead of rocket. Go for spinach, kale or mixed leaves.
• Add more fresh vegetables - like fresh cucumber or red bell pepper.
• Roast chicken - instead of grilled chicken. It's delicious and will save you time cooking!
• Canned tuna - instead of chicken.
• Other olives - like green olives or gaeta black olives instead of kalamata olives
• Fresh herbs - like parsley or fresh basil can be a great addition

Why you will love this healthy pasta salad!

It is super easy to make and delicious. Enjoy the great flavors of the Mediterranean in one dish!

Full of nutrients and protein, it's a full meal that is perfect as a main dish.

Cold pasta salad is super fresh! Perfect for hot summer days and to serve in a summer BBQ.

Equipment

All you need to make this salad is:

• Pan and pot
• Large salad bowl
• Knife & chopping board

Leftover salad? Store it in the fridge!

Store the salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

If you're cooking a big amount for meal prep, don't add the dressing until before you eat it! Otherwise the rocket will get soggy.

FAQs About Mediterranean Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

How do I properly cook pasta for this salad?

To cook pasta, particularly buckwheat spirals as used in this recipe, bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and stir gently. Cook according to the package instructions, usually for about 8-10 minutes, until al dente. Be careful not to overcook, as the pasta should retain a bit of firmness to hold up in the salad.

Can I adapt this recipe to a Greek pasta salad recipe?

Yes, this Mediterranean chicken pasta salad can be easily adapted to a Greek-style salad. Replace the rocket with spinach or kale, add red onion, and crumbled feta cheese for a Greek twist. You might also consider using farfalle pasta and grape tomatoes to diversify the texture and flavor.

What type of pasta works best for salads like this?

While this recipe uses buckwheat spirals, farfalle pasta is another excellent choice for pasta salads. Its bow-tie shape holds dressing well and adds a pleasing texture. Other good options include penne, rotini, and fusilli.

What are some good tomato substitutes besides grape tomatoes?

If grape tomatoes aren't available, cherry tomatoes are a great substitute for this salad. They are similar in size and sweetness. If both are unavailable, diced regular tomatoes can also work, though they may be less firm.

How can I cook chicken breasts perfectly for this salad?

To cook chicken breasts perfectly for this salad, season them with salt and pepper. Heat a pan with a bit of olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken breasts for about 5 minutes on each side, depending on thickness, until they are golden brown and the inside is fully cooked. Let them rest for a few minutes before slicing to ensure they retain their juices.

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