Golden-browned chicken, penne pasta, juicy cherry tomatoes, and bold Balkan cheese come together in a hearty salad full of color and perfectly balanced flavors. Fresh chives add brightness, while a garlicky vinaigrette with wine vinegar ties everything together.
This salad is easy to prepare and can be served as a light lunch, dinner, or as a party dish. Just let the pasta and sautéed chicken cool, whisk the dressing well, and gently mix all the ingredients together. If you like, let the finished salad rest for 10 minutes before serving so the flavors can meld.
What You’ll Need
For the salad base:
- 400 g chicken breast,
- 180 g penne pasta (dry),
- 150 g Balkan cheese or feta,
- 250 g cherry tomatoes, about 15–18 pieces,
- 1 bunch fresh chives,
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for sautéing the chicken.
For seasoning the chicken:
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika powder,
- 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic,
- 1/3 teaspoon salt,
- freshly ground black pepper to taste.
For the dressing:
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil,
- 1.5 tablespoons white or red wine vinegar,
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce,
- 1 teaspoon honey or Dijon mustard,
- 1–2 cloves garlic, pressed.
Step-by-Step Preparation:
1. Cooking the pasta: Place the pasta in boiling salted water and cook it al dente according to the package instructions. It shouldn’t be too soft so it keeps a nice texture when mixed with the other ingredients.
2. Cooling the pasta: Drain the cooked penne, rinse with cold water, and drizzle with a few drops of oil to prevent sticking as it cools. Let it cool completely, as you’ll be adding it cold to the salad.
3. Preparing the chicken: Clean the chicken breasts, pat them dry, and cut into bite-sized pieces. Season the meat with sweet paprika, granulated garlic, freshly ground black pepper, and salt.
4. Sautéing the chicken: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pan, add the seasoned chicken pieces, and sauté for about 5–7 minutes until golden. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly before adding to the pasta.
5. Chopping the vegetables and cheese: Wash and halve the cherry tomatoes, quartering any larger ones. Cut the Balkan cheese or feta into small cubes and finely chop the fresh chives.
6. Making the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, soy sauce, wine vinegar, honey or Dijon mustard, and pressed garlic. Whisk until smooth and emulsified.
7. Assembling the salad: In a large bowl, combine the completely cooled pasta, cooled chicken, cherry tomatoes, cheese cubes, and chopped chives. Distribute the ingredients evenly so you don’t have to mix for too long later.
8. Finishing and resting: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad and gently toss everything together. Be careful not to mash the Balkan cheese. You can serve the salad right away, or let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Why Let the Pasta Cool Completely
Cooled pasta keeps its shape better in the salad and won’t warm up the tomatoes, cheese, or fresh chives. Rinsing with cold water also stops the pasta from softening further after draining.
A few drops of oil help prevent the penne from sticking together as it cools. You only need a little oil, since the dressing will add more fat to the salad later.
How to Season Chicken Properly
Be careful with the salt, as Balkan cheese or feta and soy sauce are already quite salty. Season the chicken with the suggested 1/3 teaspoon of salt, and adjust the final taste after combining all the salad components.
Sweet paprika, granulated garlic, and freshly ground pepper add flavor to the meat without the need for long marinating. Pat the chicken dry before sautéing so it browns nicely in the hot pan.
How to Mix the Salad Without Crushing the Cheese
Whisk the dressing separately first, then pour it into the bowl. This way, the oil, vinegar, soy sauce, and honey or mustard distribute evenly, and you don’t have to mix the salad for too long.
Add the cheese cubes along with the other ingredients and toss everything gently. Letting the salad rest for ten minutes helps the garlicky, salty, sweet, and tangy flavors of the dressing come together.
