Greek Chicken Spaghetti (Printable)

Mediterranean pasta with grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta, tossed in a lemon-vinegar dressing.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 oz 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 oz 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

# Directions:

01 - Preheat a grill pan or outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Brush chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with oregano, salt, and pepper. Grill for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Transfer to a plate and rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
02 - 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 and drain.
03 - 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 for 3-4 minutes until just softened.
04 - Add cooked spaghetti, olives, and reserved pasta water to the skillet. Toss well to combine and heat through, adding more olive oil if needed.
05 - 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.
06 - Divide among plates and sprinkle with remaining feta cheese and additional parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything comes together in one skillet while the pasta boils, making weeknight cooking feel elegant not exhausting
  • The combination of hot grilled chicken, cool tangy feta, and bright lemon hits every craving in one bite
  • Leftovers somehow taste even better the next day when the flavors have had time to really mingle
02 -
  • Do not skip resting the chicken after grilling. Cutting into it immediately sends all those juices running onto your cutting board instead of staying in the meat where they belong.
  • The pasta water is not optional—think of it as liquid gold that emulsifies with the olive oil and creates a light sauce without needing cream.
  • Add the acidic elements off the heat. Lemon juice can turn bitter and metallic if cooked too long, so stir it in at the very end.
03 -
  • If the olives are especially salty, give them a quick rinse before adding to the skillet
  • Marinate the chicken in the same seasoning blend for an hour before grilling to really infuse the flavors
  • Use a microplane to zest a little lemon over each bowl right before serving for an aromatic finish
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