Chicken and Feta Couscous Pasta Salad

I promise I’ll venture out into something else next week, but for now, I’m keeping the pasta salads coming! They’re just so convenient for meal prep, easy lunches, busy weeknights, and meals on the go. Plus, I love how versatile they are. You can mix and match ingredients, make them filling, and they always taste so good.

This week, we’ve been enjoying this Chicken and Feta Couscous Pasta Salad. It’s made with simple, fresh ingredients, comes together in no time, and is packed with incredible flavor. Between the seasoned chicken, crisp vegetables, tangy feta, and creamy Italian dressing, every bite is fresh, satisfying, and perfect for summer.

I made this dish on a Saturday night, and it lasted our family about three days. My husband absolutely loved it! My toddler, per usual, only picked out the chicken and cucumber.

When you’re busy and short on time, this is the kind of meal you want waiting in the refrigerator. It’s quick to make, packed with flavor, and perfect for meal prep. Plus, the fact that it’s best served cold makes it even more convenient for lunches, road trips, pool days, or grabbing straight from a prepped container when you’re hungry.

Sometimes I’d even scoop it up with a few crackers and eat it like a dip.

I think you’re going to LOVE this recipe!

The ingredients are simple.

Chicken and Feta Pasta Salad Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts
• Olive oil
• Garlic powder
• Salt & Pepper
• Pearl couscous
• Red bell pepper
• Cucumber
• Red onion
• Feta cheese
• Mayonnaise
• Red wine vinegar
• Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix packet

How to Make the Seasoned Chicken

I make this chicken for so many recipes because it’s super simple!

Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts generously with salt, and black pepper on both sides.

Add the chicken to the hot Dutch oven and cook until golden brown and cooked through, flipping halfway through cooking. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Sprinkle more salt, pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder.

Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for about 10 minutes before chopping it into bite sized pieces. Allow the chicken to cool slightly before adding it to the couscous salad.

How to Make the Dressing

This dressing is one of my favorites to keep on hand. It’s creamy, tangy, and packed with flavor. It works perfectly on green salads, pasta salads, sub sandwiches, and even as a simple marinade for chicken. Once you make it, you’ll find yourself using it on just about everything!

In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust if needed.

How to Make the BEST Chicken & Feta Couscous Pasta Salad:

Start by cooking the pearl couscous according to the package directions. Once cooked, drain any excess liquid and set it aside to cool completely.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled couscous, chopped chicken, diced red bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, and crumbled feta cheese. Pour the dressing over the top and toss everything together until well coated.

For the best flavor, cover and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Serve chilled and enjoy throughout the week for easy lunches, quick dinners, or meals on the go!

Recipe Notes:

• This salad is perfect for meal prep and tastes even better the next day.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• This dressing is also delicious on green salads, sub sandwiches, and as a chicken marinade.

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Ingredient Substitutions

One of the best things about this couscous pasta salad is how easy it is to customize with ingredients you already have on hand!

Pearl Couscous
Swap the pearl couscous for orzo, ditalini, rotini, bowtie pasta, quinoa, or even brown rice.

Chicken
Use rotisserie chicken, grilled chicken thighs, leftover shredded chicken, turkey, or chickpeas for a vegetarian option.

Red Bell Pepper
Try orange, yellow, or green bell peppers. Cherry tomatoes are also a great addition.

English Cucumber
Regular cucumbers, mini cucumbers, or chopped celery work well for crunch.

Red Onion
Substitute with sweet onion, green onions, or shallots for a milder flavor.

Feta Cheese
Goat cheese, fresh mozzarella pearls, parmesan, or even cheddar cheese can be used instead.

Mayonnaise
Greek yogurt or sour cream can replace some or all of the mayonnaise for a lighter dressing.

Red Wine Vinegar
White wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or fresh lemon juice are great alternatives.

Good Seasons Italian Dressing Mix
Use your favorite Italian seasoning blend along with a pinch of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

Add-In Ideas

• Cherry tomatoes
• Pepperoncini peppers
• Avocado
• Fresh parsley
• Fresh dill
• Artichoke hearts
• Sun dried tomatoes

This is such a great recipe, and I know you’re going to love it! It’s the perfect time of year to make a big batch and keep it in the refrigerator for easy meals throughout the week. I hope you enjoy it as much as our family did. If you make it, be sure to let me know what you think and any fun additions you tried!