Description
This Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado and Tomato is a vibrant, flavorful dish perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner. Combining tender shredded chicken, creamy avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fresh basil with a tangy Italian dressing, this salad is both nutritious and satisfying. Ready in just 20 minutes, it’s ideal for meal prepping or entertaining with a refreshing Mediterranean flair.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 medium cooked chicken breasts, shredded or chopped (rotisserie chicken recommended)
- 2 ripe avocados, pitted and diced
- 1 pound cooked rotini pasta, chilled
- 1/2 cup chopped red onion
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup freshly chopped basil
- Salt and fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the salad ingredients: Gather and prepare all the main salad components. Shred or chop the cooked chicken breasts, dice the ripe avocados carefully to avoid mashing, halve the cherry tomatoes, chop the red onion finely, and chop the basil leaves fresh. Ensure the rotini pasta is cooked and chilled beforehand.
- Combine the salad: In a large mixing bowl, gently combine the shredded chicken, chilled rotini pasta, chopped red onion, diced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, and freshly chopped basil. Use a soft folding technique to keep the avocado intact and distribute ingredients evenly.
- Make the dressing: In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, add the white wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Close the lid securely and shake vigorously until the dressing is fully emulsified and well combined.
- Toss the salad: Drizzle the freshly made dressing over the salad mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly to coat every ingredient evenly with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve or chill: You can serve the chicken pasta salad immediately to enjoy its fresh flavors, or cover and refrigerate it to allow the flavors to develop and meld for later serving. This dish is delicious served cold or at room temperature.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor.
- Chilling the pasta before mixing helps maintain the salad’s texture.
- For best avocado results, add it just before serving to prevent browning.
- This salad can be customized with other fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro.
- Perfect for meal prep—store in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (for pasta cooking if not pre-cooked)
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
