Crispy Chicken Greek Pasta (Printable Version)

Mediterranean-inspired dish combining golden crispy chicken, tender pasta, and fresh Greek salad vegetables in a zesty dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crispy Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
05 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
09 - 1/3 cup olive oil for frying

→ Pasta

10 - 12 ounces short pasta such as penne, fusilli, or rigatoni
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
12 - Salt for pasta water

→ Greek Salad Mix

13 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
14 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
15 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely sliced
16 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
17 - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
18 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

→ Dressing

19 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
20 - 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
21 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
22 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
23 - Salt and black pepper to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Slice chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Set up three separate bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one combining panko, Parmesan, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Dredge each chicken piece first in flour, then egg, then the panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry chicken in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
03 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking.
04 - In a large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, feta, and parsley. Whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently.
05 - In a large serving bowl, combine cooked pasta and Greek salad mixture. Toss well. Top with crispy chicken bites. Garnish with extra feta and parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It satisfies both the crispy, golden craving and the fresh, crunchy salad mood in one bowl.
  • You can prep the salad and bread the chicken ahead, then fry and toss everything in under 15 minutes.
  • Leftovers stay surprisingly good because the chicken keeps its crunch even when cold.
02 -
  • Don't overcrowd the pan when frying or the chicken will steam instead of crisp, and the breading will fall off.
  • Toss the pasta with the salad while it's still slightly warm so the dressing soaks in and the feta softens just a little.
  • If you want to bake the chicken instead, arrange the breaded pieces on a parchment-lined sheet and bake at 425 degrees F for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through for even browning.
03 -
  • Let the breaded chicken rest on a rack for 10 minutes before frying so the coating sets and doesn't slide off in the oil.
  • Use a thermometer to check that your oil stays around 350 degrees F, hot enough to crisp but not burn the breading.
  • Taste the dressing before pouring it over the salad and adjust the vinegar or salt to your liking, every batch of feta has a different saltiness.
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