Crispy Chicken Greek Pasta (Print Version)

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

# What You 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:

01 - Slice chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Set up three shallow 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 adhere.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry chicken pieces for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown 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 cheese, and parsley. Whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl.
05 - Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and toss gently. In a large serving bowl, combine cooked pasta with the dressed Greek salad. Toss well to incorporate.
06 - Top the pasta and salad mixture with crispy chicken bites. Garnish with additional feta cheese and fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately while chicken is still warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crispy chicken stays crunchy even when tossed with the pasta, thanks to the Parmesan panko crust that clings like armor.
  • It feels like a complete meal without needing side dishes or extra effort, just one big beautiful bowl.
  • The leftovers taste even better the next day when the dressing soaks into everything overnight.
02 -
  • Do not crowd the pan when frying the chicken or the temperature will drop and the breading will turn soggy instead of crispy.
  • Toss the pasta with the salad while the pasta is still slightly warm so the dressing clings better and the feta softens just a little.
  • If you are making this ahead, keep the chicken separate until serving or it will lose its crunch in the fridge.
03 -
  • Use a thermometer to check that your frying oil stays between 350 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit so the chicken cooks through without burning the crust.
  • Salt your pasta water generously, it should taste like the sea, because this is your only chance to season the pasta itself.
  • Let the chicken rest on paper towels for a minute after frying so excess oil drains away and the coating stays light and crispy.
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