• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Cookin Canuck
  • Recipe Index
  • 30 Minute Meals
  • Cooking 101
  • Instant Pot Recipes
  • About
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Quick&Easy
  • Instant Pot
  • About
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Quick&Easy
    • Instant Pot
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×

    Home » Entrees » Poultry Recipes

    Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe with Plums, Feta & Cumin Dressing

    Published: Aug 23, 2012 · Modified: Mar 30, 2021 by Dara · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 20 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe with Plums, Feta & Cumin Dressing

    When we visited my parents in Victoria, B.C. last week, it became abundantly clear why my obsession with food started at a young age. Within 10 minutes of leaving the airport, we pulled up to my parents' favorite farm stand, loading up on two varieties of corn (perfect for this Grilled Corn Salad), fresh plums, peaches and zucchini. Does it sound as though I'm complaining? I promise you that couldn't be farther from the truth. We enjoyed plenty of meals in my parents' newly landscaped, spectacular backyard, each one inspired by some form of fresh produce.

    Meals of light summer pasta salads, grilled ribs and seared shrimp were interrupted only by expeditions to the beach to search for crabs and shells, and carriage rides around Victoria.

    MTBeach

    By the way, if you're ever traveling through Beacon Hill Park in Victoria, by carriage or any other means, don't miss the Beacon Drive-In for the best soft-serve ice cream you'll ever taste.

    CarriageRide

    After returning home from Victoria, I couldn't stop thinking about all of the fresh fruits and vegetables we ate while on holiday. When I spotted some ruby red plums at the market, the wheels started turning. Should I make a crisp? How about an ice cream? Ultimately, I decided to opt for something a little healthier. Plus, I didn't have any ideas for dinner that night, so I knew I had to put on my culinary thinking cap.

    Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe with Plums, Feta & Cumin Dressing

    And so was born this whole wheat pasta salad, brought to life with the ripe, sweet plums, a light orange and cumin dressing and salty feta cheese. Some shredded chicken adds an extra hit of protein and sliced green onions and cilantro pump up the "freshness" factor.

    Are you thinking that plums, cumin and pasta sound like an odd combination? Well, I'll just have to ask you to trust me on this one. The flavors will have you smitten.

    The recipe:

    The dressing:
    In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, orange juice, olive oil, cumin, agave or honey, salt and pepper. Set aside.

    Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe with Plums, Feta & Cumin Dressing

    The pasta salad:
    Cook the whole wheat penne according to the package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.

    In a large bowl, combine the penne, shredded chicken, plums and feta cheese.

    Pour in the dressing and stir to coat the pasta.

    Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe with Plums, Feta & Cumin Dressing

    Add the green onions and cilantro and stir gently to combine.

    Serve or refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe with Plums, Feta & Cumin Dressing

    Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe with Plums, Feta & Cumin Dressing

    This healthy pasta salad features sweet plums, a light orange and cumin dressing, salty feta cheese and shredded chicken.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Entrees
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: Whole Wheat Recipe
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes
    Servings: 6 Servings
    Calories: 167kcal
    Author: Dara Michalski | Cookin' Canuck

    Ingredients

    Dressing:

    • ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
    • ⅓ cup plus 2 tablespoons orange juice
    • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    • 1 ¾ teaspoons ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon agave nectar or honey
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    Pasta salad:

    • 1 13 ounce box whole wheat penne pasta
    • 2 cooked boneless skinless chicken breasts, shredded
    • 4 large plums about 1 ¼ pounds, pitted and cubed
    • 3 ½ ounces crumbled feta cheese
    • 3 green onions thinly sliced (green and white parts)
    • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    The Dressing:

    • In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, orange juice, olive oil, cumin, agave or honey, salt and pepper. Set aside.

    The Pasta Salad:

    • Cook the whole wheat penne according to the package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
    • In a large bowl, combine the penne, shredded chicken, plums and feta cheese.
    • Pour in the dressing and stir to coat the pasta.
    • Add the green onions and cilantro and stir gently to combine.
    • Serve or refrigerate until ready to serve.

    Notes

    The dressing is adapted from a Cooking Light Magazine recipe.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Serving (⅙ of Recipe) | Calories: 167kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 425mg | Potassium: 287mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 365IU | Vitamin C: 18.1mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 0.8mg
    Tried this recipe?If you make this recipe, I'd love to see it on Instagram! Just use the hashtag #COOKINCANUCK and I'll be sure to find it.

    Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

    Signature

    « Grilled Corn Salad Recipe with Cherry Tomatoes & Basil
    Grilled Marinated Tri-Tip Steak Recipe with Red Pepper Cilantro Pesto »

    Want more easy, healthy recipes?

    Subscribe to get the recipes sent straight to your inbox.

      We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Jessica @ How Sweet

        August 27, 2012 at 6:26 pm

        absolutely ADORE this salad!

        Reply
      2. Laurie @SimplyScratch

        August 25, 2012 at 6:09 am

        Sounds like you had so much fun! And what an awesome recipe... I'm definitely smitten 🙂 I love that you added plums... I need this salad STAT!

        Reply
      3. Jeanette

        August 24, 2012 at 8:36 pm

        Such an unusual combination of flavors in this pasta salad, but I can only imagine how wonderful they are all together. So glad to see that your family had a nice time visiting with your parents.

        Reply
      4. Aggie

        August 24, 2012 at 3:45 pm

        Oh Dara, I love hearing about your family visit!! This pasta would be welcomed at m house any time 🙂 come visit!!

        Reply
      5. Sommer@ASpicyPerspective

        August 24, 2012 at 6:55 am

        Hey Dara, That is a beautiful bowl of pasta! It's been a crazy summer for us and I'm ready to get back on a normal schedule. I miss keeping up with you!

        Reply
      6. Jen @ Savory Simple

        August 24, 2012 at 5:28 am

        Some of my favorite recipes involve savory dishes with fruit. It adds such a wonderful touch! Love this.

        Reply
      7. Minnie(@thelady8home)

        August 24, 2012 at 3:58 am

        Great recipe. Sounds healthy, and flavorful.

        Reply
      8. erin

        August 23, 2012 at 9:01 pm

        Saw this recipe and the only thing I was missing was the plums and feta...went to the store and picked up those items....SO delicious! My 2 year old loved it as did the adults!

        Reply
      9. Pretend Chef

        August 23, 2012 at 5:22 pm

        Love the photos and it looks like a fun time was had by all. I miss Farmer's Markets. Don't see too many in Houston. This pasta looks amazing and the flavors sound delicious.

        Reply
      10. Jersey girl cooks

        August 23, 2012 at 2:59 pm

        Interesting combination which I will have to try!

        Reply
      11. Julia {The Roasted Root}

        August 23, 2012 at 1:59 pm

        What fun family time! I love buying produce from farm stands and farmer's markets and am psyched that plums are finally ripening up! Your chicken pasta salad sounds satisfying and well balanced and clever to boot with the plums!

        Reply
      12. Jennifer

        August 23, 2012 at 12:43 pm

        What a creative way to use plums. I've never seen them in a pasta salad before.

        Reply
      13. addie @ culicurious.com

        August 23, 2012 at 11:35 am

        a very creative use for plums. looks tasty!

        Reply
      14. Jessica@AKitchenAddiction

        August 23, 2012 at 10:49 am

        This is a great! I love the idea of using plums in a pasta salad!

        Reply
      15. Laura (Tutti Dolci)

        August 23, 2012 at 10:09 am

        I love the idea of tangy-sweet plums in this salad!

        Reply
      16. kelley

        August 23, 2012 at 10:04 am

        If this tastes anything like the salad you brought yesterday, I know we're all in for a treat. The plums and the cumin went so nicely together! Looking forward to seeing photos of your parents yard!

        Reply
      17. Heather in SF

        August 23, 2012 at 8:25 am

        Wow, I love this combination, how creative. Can't wait to give it a go. Finally some of my fruit-intolerance-allergy issues are easing and plums are okay!

        Reply
      18. katie

        August 23, 2012 at 7:59 am

        This sounds wonderful! I love the idea that you put plums in the salad!

        Reply
      19. Madeleine

        August 23, 2012 at 7:45 am

        Yum, this looks so delicious! I love that there's no mayo in the dressing, that's what I never like about pasta salad - I'll have to try this out for sure!

        Reply
      20. megan @ whatmegansmakin

        August 23, 2012 at 7:36 am

        I love pasta salad recipes, especially with homemade dressing. I've never had one with plums, but now that you mention it, it sounds good!

        Reply

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      Primary Sidebar

      • Facebook
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest
      • Twitter
      Photo of Dara Michalski.

      Hi there! Welcome to Cookin' Canuck.

      I'm Dara, a Canadian living in the U.S. and sharing my favorite healthy recipes. My cooking motto is that healthy eating never needs to be boring!

      More about me →

      Popular

      • Strawberry Nice Cream
      • Lemon Orzo Salad
      • Sautéed Corn, Zucchini & Blistered Tomatoes Recipe
      • Grilled Halloumi Cheese Recipe

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      About

      • Meet Dara
      • Contact
      • Work With Me
      • FAQ
      • Privacy Policy

      Newsletter

      • Sign Up! for emails and updates

      Recipes

      • All Recipes
      • Main Dishes
      • Instant Pot Recipes
      • 30-Minute Meals

      I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

      Copyright © 2022 Cookin' Canuck