Greek Chicken Spaghetti (Print Version)

Grilled chicken, tomatoes, olives, and feta tossed with spaghetti in a bright lemon dressing.

# Ingredients 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, sprinkle with oregano, salt, and pepper.
02 - Grill the chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and juices run clear. Transfer to a plate, rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
03 - While the chicken cooks, 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 - In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil 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 if needed.
06 - Remove skillet from heat. Stir in lemon juice, red wine vinegar, and chopped parsley. Add sliced chicken and half the feta, tossing gently.
07 - Divide among plates, sprinkle with remaining feta and extra parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in under 35 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • The grilled chicken stays juicy while those tomatoes burst into little pockets of sauce
  • Leftovers actually taste better the next day as the flavors deepen
02 -
  • Reserving that pasta water is the difference between a dry dish and one with a glossy, emulsified sauce
  • Letting the chicken rest prevents all those delicious juices from running onto your cutting board instead of staying in the meat
  • The garlic can burn quickly once you add the tomatoes, so keep the heat at medium
03 -
  • If you have time, marinate the chicken for 1 hour in olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, and garlic before grilling
  • Substitute roasted red peppers for half the tomatoes in winter when fresh tomatoes are not at their best
  • A sprinkle of dried mint or fresh dill adds another authentic Greek layer that people will ask about
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