Crispy Chicken Greek Pasta (Printable Version)

Mediterranean-inspired dish with golden crispy chicken, tender pasta, and fresh Greek vegetables in a zesty oregano 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 Steps:

01 - Slice chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Set up three separate bowls with flour in the first, beaten eggs in the second, and a mixture of panko, Parmesan, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in the third. Dredge each chicken piece in flour, then egg, then the panko mixture, pressing gently to ensure coating adheres. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and fry chicken in batches for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
02 - 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.
03 - In a large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, feta, and parsley. Whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to coat.
04 - In a large serving bowl, combine cooked pasta and Greek salad mixture. Toss well to distribute ingredients evenly. Top with crispy chicken bites and garnish with additional feta cheese and fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately while chicken remains crispy.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crunch from the panko chicken against tender pasta creates the most satisfying texture contrast
  • You get that classic Greek salad experience but with warm comforting elements that make it feel like a complete meal
02 -
  • Do not overcrowd the pan when frying the chicken or the temperature will drop and you will end up with soggy coating instead of crispy perfection
  • Letting the dressed salad sit for 5 to 10 minutes before tossing with the pasta allows the vegetables to release some juices that season the pasta even better
03 -
  • Double the dressing and toss a portion with the pasta directly for even more flavor throughout the dish
  • Toast the panko breadcrumbs with a teaspoon of olive oil in a dry pan before using them for an even deeper golden color and nuttier flavor
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