Looking for a refreshing twist on classic pasta salad? Try this Smoked Greek Chicken Pasta Salad—smoky, creamy, and full of Mediterranean flavors. The sauce combines Greek yogurt, sour cream, and a touch of mayo for a luscious texture that pairs beautifully with smoked chicken, fresh vegetables, olives, and feta. It’s hearty enough to serve as a main dish and keeps well for easy lunches all week.
Smoked Chicken Greek Pasta Salad Recipe
This recipe celebrates Mediterranean ingredients with a smoky twist. Smoked chicken adds depth while a creamy Greek-style dressing brightened with lemon and vinegar ties everything together. Fresh herbs—oregano, mint, and parsley—give the salad an authentic, vibrant aroma. If you enjoy Greek-inspired flavors, this salad is an excellent way to showcase them in a make-ahead dish that travels well to picnics and potlucks.
If you like to experiment, add a pinch of your favorite Mediterranean seasoning or a pre-made Greek blend to boost the flavor. For an extra layer of richness, reserve a few tablespoons of the chicken marinade or pan juices (if you roasted a whole bird) and stir them into the sauce.
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Why You’ll Love It
- The creamy, tangy sauce is unique for a Greek-style pasta salad and keeps the noodles flavorful without being heavy.
- It stores well in the refrigerator for several days—make a large batch for easy weekday lunches or a party side.
- Highly customizable: swap or omit vegetables based on what you have on hand.
- The simple Mediterranean marinade brightens the chicken and makes this salad taste fresh and balanced.
Recipe Shopping List
Most of these pantry staples and fresh items are common in Mediterranean cooking. If you need exact quantities, see the ingredient section below.
This list looks long, but many items are likely already in your kitchen.
- Chicken breasts
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Fresh oregano, mint, parsley
- Kosher salt and black pepper
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Sour cream
- Mayonnaise
- Red wine vinegar
- Cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper
- Artichoke hearts
- Kalamata olives
- Red onion (optional)
- Feta cheese
- Pasta (short shapes like rotini, penne, or shells)
- Optional Mediterranean seasoning
Try other smoked chicken recipes for variety and inspiration.
How To Make This Recipe
Here’s a concise overview of the method. Follow the detailed instructions in the Ingredients and Steps sections for best results.
- Marinate the chicken: Combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and fresh herbs. Reserve a few tablespoons of the marinade for the dressing.
- Smoke the chicken: Preheat your smoker to about 250°F and cook chicken breasts until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest, then dice.
- Prepare the sauce and pasta: Whisk together Greek yogurt, sour cream, mayo, lemon, vinegar, olive oil, reserved marinade, and seasonings. Cook pasta until al dente, then rinse under cold water.
- Assemble and chill: Toss pasta with the sauce, smoked chicken, chopped vegetables, olives, and feta. Chill for at least 2–3 hours to let flavors meld.
- Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning before serving. Garnish with extra herbs or crumbled feta as desired.
A well-chilled pasta salad is always a crowd-pleaser—plan ahead when possible.
Recipe FAQ
Store leftovers in an airtight container or covered serving bowl in the refrigerator. The salad will keep well for 3–4 days, depending mainly on the freshness of the vegetables. If your tomatoes or cucumbers are already soft, the salad will not last as long.
Yes—this recipe is very flexible. Swap vegetables, omit the onion, or add more peppers, beans, or grains. If you prefer, replace sour cream with extra Greek yogurt or use a bottled Greek dressing in place of the homemade sauce. The salad adapts well to what you have on hand.
Want more smoked chicken ideas? Explore other recipes for inspiration.
More Pasta Salad Recipes
- Ham and Pea Pasta Salad
- Salmon Orzo Pasta Salad
- Grilled Caesar Pasta Salad
- Tuna Pasta Salad
- Caprese Pasta Salad
- Smoked Chicken Gorgonzola Pasta Salad
- BLT Pasta Salad
- Creamy Macaroni Salad
Ingredients (Serves 8)
- Protein + Marinade
- 2 chicken breasts
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ tsp chopped fresh oregano
- 1½ tsp chopped fresh mint
- 1½ tsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
- Sauce
- 3 tablespoons reserved marinade (from above)
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayo
- 1 tablespoon Mediterranean seasoning (optional)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Mix-ins
- 3 cups cubed smoked chicken
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1 cup chopped artichoke hearts
- 1 cup diced red bell pepper
- ½ cup chopped Kalamata olives
- ½ cup diced red onion (optional)
- ½ cup crumbled feta
- 1 pound pasta (cooked and cooled)
Instructions
- Prepare the marinade by whisking olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper. Reserve 3 tablespoons of the marinade for the sauce, then place the chicken in the remaining marinade and refrigerate for 3–4 hours or overnight.
- Preheat your smoker to 250°F. Remove excess marinade and smoke the chicken until it reaches 165°F internal temperature. Let it rest, then cut into bite-sized cubes.
- While the chicken smokes, whisk together the sauce ingredients: reserved marinade, Greek yogurt, sour cream, mayo, lemon juice, olive oil, red wine vinegar, seasoning, salt, and pepper. Adjust to taste.
- Cook the pasta in well-salted water until al dente, drain, and rinse with cold water to cool.
- Toss the cooled pasta with the sauce, smoked chicken, and mix-ins until evenly coated. Chill for 2–3 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
- Before serving, stir gently and garnish with extra feta or fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
You can shorten prep time by using pre-made Greek dressing, though the homemade yogurt-based sauce gives a creamier, fresher result. This salad adapts well to substitutions—use more yogurt instead of sour cream, or swap vegetables to suit your taste.
Nutrition Information (per serving, estimate)
Yield: 8 servings • Calories: 517 • Total Fat: 33g • Saturated Fat: 7g • Unsaturated Fat: 24g • Cholesterol: 74mg • Sodium: 1196mg • Carbs: 28g • Fiber: 4g • Sugar: 5g • Protein: 27g
Nutrition data provided here is only an estimate.