Golden crispy chicken bites combined with short pasta, fresh Greek salad vegetables, and a zesty dressing. Mediterranean comfort in one bowl.
# Components:
→ Crispy Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
05 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
06 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
09 - 1/3 cup olive oil for frying
→ Pasta
10 - 12 ounces short pasta such as penne, fusilli, or rigatoni
11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
12 - Salt for pasta water
→ Greek Salad Mix
13 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
14 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
15 - 1/2 cup red onion, finely sliced
16 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
17 - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
18 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
→ Dressing
19 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
20 - 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
21 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
22 - 1 garlic clove, finely minced
23 - Salt and black pepper to taste
# Method steps:
01 - Slice chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces. Set up three separate bowls with flour in the first bowl, beaten eggs in the second bowl, and panko breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in the third bowl. Dredge each chicken piece in flour, then egg, then the panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere coating.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches to avoid crowding, fry chicken pieces for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to paper towels to drain excess oil.
03 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain thoroughly and toss with 1 tablespoon olive oil to prevent sticking.
04 - In a large bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and fresh parsley. In a separate bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour dressing over salad and toss gently to combine.
05 - In a large serving bowl, combine cooked pasta with Greek salad mixture and toss thoroughly. Top with crispy chicken bites and garnish with additional feta cheese and fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately while chicken remains warm and crispy.
