Name: Baked Feta Pasta with Chicken - TikTok Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 120g (4.3oz) of uncooked penne pasta; 60ml (1/4 cup) reserved cooked pasta water; 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley; 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh basil; 180g (6.4oz) of chopped tomatoes (canned); 10 grape tomatoes (or use cherry); 1/2 red bell pepper, diced; 1/2 small onion, chopped; 2 cloves of garlic, minced; 90g (3.2oz) piece of feta cheese; pinch of black pepper; pinch of dried mixed herbs; pinch of red chilli flakes; 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil; 150g (5.3oz) of boneless skinless chicken thigh, sliced into small strips; 1 teaspoon of paprika; 1/2 teaspoon of dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon of dried basil; pinch of sea salt

Jump to Recipe

Baked Feta Pasta - my take on the viral recipe that completely took over social media. Originally created by Finnish blogger Jenni Häyrinen (@liemessa) and was named Uunifetapasta, the recipe became so popular it reportedly caused feta shortages across Finland. As soon as I saw it everywhere online, I knew I had to try it because honestly, what's not to love? Roasted tomatoes, creamy baked feta, garlic, herbs, and pasta all mixed together into one easy dish that feels comforting and packed with flavour.

Baked feta pasta in white oven dish with chicken

For my variation of the baked feta pasta, I kept it as a portion for two and added some extra protein with tender sliced chicken thighs seasoned with paprika, oregano, basil, and sea salt. Along with the chicken, I added garlic, onion, red pepper, and canned tomatoes for even more flavour, then topped the feta with extra herbs and red chilli flakes before baking. Everything roasts together until the feta turns soft and creamy, creating the most delicious silky sauce once stirred through the pasta.

Calories in Baked Feta Pasta with Chicken

This recipe serves 2 and is 536 calories per serving.

If you're looking for more recipes by calories, you'll find plenty of options grouped by calorie range here: Slimming Eats Low Calorie Recipes

If you're following a calorie-controlled diet or a healthy eating plan, it's important to calculate your daily calorie needs using a reliable calorie calculator. The calorie counts provided are estimates and can vary depending on the exact ingredients and portion sizes you use. Using your own calculations helps ensure you're meeting your individual needs. A calorie calculator can help you make informed choices and stay on track with your goals.

See the recipe card for full nutritional estimation.

close up of Baked feta pasta in white oven dish with chicken

Ingredients Notes

To make this recipe you will need the following ingredients:

Chicken thigh: Chicken thigh stays juicy and tender when baked and adds extra flavour to the dish. Slice into small strips so it cooks quickly and evenly.
Seasonings and dried herbs: The paprika adds warmth and colour, while the oregano, basil, sea salt, black pepper, mixed herbs, and chilli flakes all help build flavour throughout the dish with a little heat and herby freshness.
Chopped tomatoes: Create the base of the sauce and become rich and flavourful as they bake with the feta.
Grape or cherry tomatoes: Roast down until soft and sweet, adding freshness and bursts of flavour throughout the pasta.
Red bell pepper: Adds sweetness, colour, and extra texture to the sauce.
Onion: Softens and caramelises slightly as it bakes, adding depth of flavour.
Garlic: Adds lots of savoury flavour and works perfectly with the feta and tomatoes.
Feta cheese: The star of the dish. As it bakes, the feta softens into a creamy, salty sauce when stirred through the tomatoes and pasta.
Extra virgin olive oil: Helps everything roast beautifully and adds richness to the sauce.
Penne pasta: Penne works perfectly for catching all the creamy feta sauce, but other short pasta shapes work well too.
Fresh parsley and fresh basil: Add freshness and colour to finish the dish and brighten all the flavours.

Once you've gathered all the ingredients and prepared them accordingly, you're all set to create this easy and delightful recipe.

See the recipe card for specific quantities and instructions.

Variations and Substitutes

There are plenty of easy ways to adapt this baked feta pasta depending on what you have on hand.

Swap the chicken thighs for chicken breast, prawns, salmon, or leave the meat out completely for the well love meat free version.
Feta is the classic choice, but you could also use goat's cheese, ricotta, or boursin cheese.
Penne can be replaced with fusilli, rigatoni, farfalle, spaghetti, or wholewheat pasta.
Add extra vegetables like spinach, courgette, mushrooms, aubergine, olives, or sun-dried tomatoes.
Cherry tomatoes can be replaced with extra canned tomatoes if needed.
Adjust the spice level with extra chilli flakes or a little cayenne pepper.
Add a splash of cream cheese or light cream for an even creamier sauce.
Fresh basil and parsley can be swapped for fresh oregano or coriander.
For extra protein, stir through chickpeas or some beans like black beans or white beans.

close up Baked feta pasta in white oven dish with chicken

Step By Step Images for Baked Feta Chicken Pasta

Images show the step by step stages for my variation on the delicious baked chicken pasta.

Other Side Suggestions

Don't fancy this with pasta? There's really no strict rule that says you have to stir cooked pasta into the baked feta mixture. Once the feta and tomatoes are baked and mixed together into that creamy sauce, it can easily be enjoyed in different ways depending on what you are in the mood for.

Rice
Roasted Garlic and Herb Potatoes
Quinoa
Couscous
Roasted Butternut Squash
Roasted Sweet Potato
Your favourite crusty bread, sour dough or ciabatta.

I also love to pair this recipe with a mixed salad and low calorie dressing.

Storing, Freezing and Reheating

Storing

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The sauce will thicken slightly as it cools.

Freezing

Allow the pasta to cool completely before transferring to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat in the microwave or in a pan over a low heat until piping hot throughout. Add a splash of water, stock, or milk if needed to loosen the sauce back up.

More Feta Recipes

Wondering what else to make with Feta? Check out these:

or if you would like more recipe ideas - head on over to the FULL RECIPE INDEX where you will find over 900 delicious recipes with calories and you can search by meal type, ingredients, course, diet and more.

All recipes on Slimming Eats have estimated nutritional information for your convenience.

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Recipe Card

Yield: SERVES 2

Baked Feta Pasta with Chicken - TikTok Recipe

Baked Feta Pasta - a delicious variation of this popular recipe with tender chicken, tomates, red pepper, seasonings and penne pasta.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

For the chicken:

150g (5.3oz) of boneless skinless chicken thigh, sliced into small strips
1 teaspoon of paprika
½ teaspoon of dried oregano
½ teaspoon of dried basil
pinch of sea salt

For the baked Feta:

180g (6.4oz) of chopped tomatoes (canned)
10 grape tomatoes (or use cherry)
½ red bell pepper, diced
½ small onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
90g (3.2oz) piece of feta cheese
pinch of black pepper
pinch of dried mixed herbs
pinch of red chilli flakes
1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil

Additional Ingredients

120g (4.3oz) of uncooked penne pasta
60ml (¼ cup) reserved cooked pasta water
1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon of chopped fresh basil

Instructions

Preheat oven to 200c (fan 180c), 400f or gas mark 6
Add the chicken to a bowl with the paprika, dried oregano, dried basil and pinch of sea salt and toss to coat.
To an oven proof dish add the chopped tomatoes, grape tomatoes (or cherry tomatoes), red bell pepper, onion, garlic and chicken pieces and make a space in the centre.
Place the piece of feta cheese in the cleared space in the baking dish. Sprinkle with a pinch of mixed herbs, red chilli flakes and black pepper.
Drizzle over the top of the feta, chicken and vegetables with the extra virgin olive oil .
Bake in the oven for 35 minutes until the tomatoes have softened and the feta is slightly caramelized.
When the feta and tomatoes are on the last 10-15 minutes of cooking time, cook the pasta until al dente in salted boiling water. Before draining reserve 60ml (¼ cup) of the pasta water.
Remove the baking dish from the oven, sprinkle with the fresh basil and parsley and using a wooden spoon, break up the feta and squish all the tomatoes, mixing in the dish until creamy. Add in the cooked pasta and reserved pasta water and stir until all combined.
Serve and Enjoy!!!

Notes

Please see below for full nutritional info and additional details about recipe:

Calories - scroll down to nutritional info box
WW Points and other Slimming or Weight Loss programs - due to plans regularly changing and updating, we recommend calculating with the official tools you get as a member to those plans to ensure accuracy of values.
Gluten Free Friendly - use gluten free pasta
❄️ Freezer Friendly - see storing, freezing and reheating section

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Comments

Cleardee1 says

February 19, 2021 at 5:52 am

Did you use full fat feta cheese for this or could you use the lighter version?

Carol says

March 26, 2021 at 1:38 am

This looks like Greek saganaki minus the ouzo x

Marion Anderson says

April 27, 2021 at 1:30 pm

I made this tonight and thoroughly enjoyed it. I live on my own so will have the second portion tomorrow as I'm not sure about freezing it.

KATIE AKRIGG says

May 09, 2021 at 11:42 am

Wow, made this - forgot the best bit though GARLIC D'oh. Doubled up recipre so i can have lunch at work 🙂
Very tastey

Irene says

May 27, 2021 at 4:43 am

Lovely. Made this and really enjoyed it. As I like lots of sauce used a whole tin tomatoes. Great for using those odds and ends lurking in the fridge. Had some wholemeal cheese leek and walnut scones to soak up the sauce. Delish!

Paul Levitt says

February 10, 2023 at 10:56 am

Just can't get enough of this - so tasty. Made at least half a dozen times in the past few months.
I use extra pasta water for more sauce

Kate Soper says

July 30, 2023 at 1:03 pm

NB

Delicious cold!!!