Greek Chicken Spaghetti (Printable)

Grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, olives, and feta tossed with spaghetti in a zesty lemon-herb dressing.

# What You Need:

→ 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 ounces 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 ounces 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

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat a grill pan or outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Brush chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with oregano, salt, and pepper.
02 - Grill chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Transfer to a plate and rest for 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
03 - While 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 to 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 and sprinkle with remaining feta and extra parsley if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in just 35 minutes, making it perfect for weeknight dinners when you don't want to sacrifice flavor.
  • The chicken stays tender and juicy, the pasta soaks up a gentle lemon dressing, and the feta adds that salty-creamy finish that makes everything taste complete.
  • You only really need a grill pan and one skillet, so cleanup is mercifully simple.
02 -
  • The pasta water is essential—don't skip it or pour it down the drain; it contains starch that helps the sauce coat every strand instead of sliding off.
  • If your chicken starts cooking much faster than expected, your heat might be too high, which leads to a burnt exterior and undercooked interior; medium-high is genuinely the sweet spot.
  • Feta can become rubbery if it sits in heat too long, so add half of it while the pan is off the heat and crumble the rest on top right before eating.
03 -
  • If you want to meal prep, grill the chicken and make the tomato mixture the night before, but dress and finish the dish fresh; the pasta soaks up liquid as it sits, and you want it glossy rather than dried out.
  • A crisp white wine like Assyrtiko is the perfect pairing, but honestly, a cold glass of anything cold tastes good beside this—the brightness pairs with almost anything.
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