Description
A quick, vibrant Greek-inspired pasta dish blending juicy halal chicken thighs, crumbled feta, and briny tomatoes in a zesty lemon-olive oil sauce. Ready in 25 minutes with bold Mediterranean flavors.
Ingredients
1.2 lbs (500g) halal chicken thighs, boneless and skinless
10–12 oz (300–340g) whole wheat or ziti pasta
1 cup (4 oz) Greek-style feta cheese, crumbled
1 pint (240g) cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 tbsp olive oil (for skillet)
1 tbsp olive oil (for chicken mixture)
2 tbsp reserved pasta water
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
Pine nuts (optional, 1/4 cup)
Instructions
Cut chicken into 2-inch cubes. Halve cherry tomatoes. Measure all ingredients for efficiency.
Boil salted water in a 3–4 qt pot. Submerge pasta, stir, and simmer until al dente.
Heat 1/2 tbsp olive oil in a skillet. Cook garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes for 1 minute. Add chicken and sauté 5 minutes per side until golden.
Add cherry tomatoes, 1 tbsp olive oil, lemon zest, and juice to the skillet. Simmer 3 minutes until tomatoes soften. Stir in feta crumbles gently.
Reserve 2 tbsp pasta water. Drain pasta, return to pot, and toss with chicken mixture and pasta water until sauce adheres.
Optional: Add pine nuts during the last 2 minutes of cooking for crunch.
Notes
Use high-quality olive oil for maximum flavor. Preheat skillet 2 minutes before adding chicken for proper searing. Pine nuts add a Mediterranean crunch—skip if allergenic.
Add reserved pasta water gradually to adjust sauce consistency.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Recipes
- Method: Sautéing, Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 83mg