Greek Chicken Spaghetti (Printer-Friendly)

Grilled chicken pasta with cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and creamy feta cheese in a Mediterranean-style sauce.

# What You'll Need:

→ Protein

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
04 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Pasta

05 - 12 ounces spaghetti

→ Vegetables

06 - 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
09 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
10 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Cheese

11 - 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

→ Dressing

12 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
13 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
14 - 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
15 - Freshly ground black pepper to taste

# Method:

01 - Preheat a grill pan or outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Brush chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with oregano, salt, and pepper. Grill for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear.
02 - Transfer grilled chicken to a plate and rest for 5 minutes. Slice thinly and set aside.
03 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
04 - Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté garlic and red onion for 2 minutes until softened. Add cherry tomatoes and cook 3-4 minutes until just softened.
05 - Add cooked spaghetti, olives, and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss well to combine and heat through, adding more olive oil as needed.
06 - Remove skillet from heat. Stir in lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and chopped parsley. Add sliced chicken and half the feta cheese, tossing gently to combine.
07 - Divide among serving plates and sprinkle with remaining feta cheese and additional parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The salty feta melts into warm pasta creating a creamy sauce without any heavy cream
  • Everything cooks in under 35 minutes but tastes like you spent all afternoon over the stove
  • Leftovers pack perfectly for lunch the next day, flavors somehow getting better overnight
02 -
  • Do not skip the pasta water step as it emulsifies the olive oil and creates a silky coating on every strand
  • Let the chicken rest before slicing, otherwise all those delicious juices will end up on your cutting board instead of in your pasta
  • Add the feta at the very end because if it heats too long it becomes rubbery instead of creamy
03 -
  • Whole wheat spaghetti works surprisingly well here and adds nutty depth that stands up to the bold Greek flavors
  • If your cherry tomatoes are not very sweet, add a pinch of sugar when sautéing them to balance the acidity
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