Easy Chicken Avocado Pasta Salad Recipe: A Zesty Summer Delight

Whipping up a delightful chicken avocado pasta salad can turn an ordinary meal into a culinary adventure.

Mediterranean influences dance through this vibrant dish, promising bold flavors and fresh ingredients.

Creamy avocado chunks blend seamlessly with tender chicken pieces, creating a harmonious texture.

Crisp vegetables add a delightful crunch that will make you smile with each bite.

Perfectly seasoned and light, this recipe works brilliantly for summer lunches or quick weeknight dinners.

Colorful and nutritious, the combination feels like a celebration on your plate.

You’ll want to savor every forkful of this irresistible pasta salad that brings excitement to your dining table.

Why Chicken Avocado Pasta Salad Stands Out

• Boost Nutrition: Packed with lean protein from chicken, healthy fats from avocado, and fresh vegetables, this pasta salad delivers a balanced meal in one delicious bowl.
• Master Quick Meal Prep: Combine ingredients in minutes, making it perfect for busy weekdays, picnics, or last-minute gatherings without complicated cooking techniques.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ingredients or add your favorite herbs and spices to create a personalized dish that suits your taste preferences and dietary needs.
• No-Fuss Serving: Serve chilled or at room temperature, making it a versatile option for potlucks, lunch boxes, or casual family dinners with minimal effort.

All Ingredients For Chicken Avocado Pasta Salad

• Chicken: A lean protein that adds substance and flavor to the pasta salad.
• Pasta: The base of the salad that provides a hearty and satisfying foundation.
• Avocado: A creamy and nutritious ingredient that brings richness to the dish.

• Red Onion, Cherry Tomatoes, Basil: Fresh ingredients that contribute bright colors, sharp flavors, and aromatic notes to the salad.

• White Wine Vinegar, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: A classic combination of seasonings that creates a zesty and balanced dressing to enhance the overall taste of the pasta salad.

Steps To Make Chicken Avocado Pasta Salad

Step 1: Chop and Prepare Ingredients

Grab a spacious mixing bowl. Shred cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Cut avocado into small cubes. Slice cherry tomatoes in half.

Dice red onion into fine pieces. Finely chop fresh basil leaves.

Step 2: Blend Zesty Dressing

Select a small jar or bowl. Pour in white wine vinegar.

Add Italian seasoning. Stream extra virgin olive oil.

Sprinkle salt and pepper. Whisk ingredients together until smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Combine Salad Components

Transfer all chopped ingredients into the large mixing bowl. Drizzle prepared dressing over the mixture.

Use a gentle folding motion to coat everything evenly. Ensure each ingredient gets a nice coverage of the tangy dressing.

Step 4: Chill and Serve

For immediate serving, plate the pasta salad right away. If preferred, cover the bowl and refrigerate.

The salad stays fresh and delicious for up to three days. Perfect for quick meals or potluck gatherings.

Serve cold and enjoy the vibrant flavors of chicken, creamy avocado, and herb-infused dressing.

Tips To Nail Chicken Avocado Pasta Salad

• Keep avocados slightly firm when adding to prevent mushy texture during mixing.
• Use rotisserie chicken for quick preparation and enhanced flavor depth.
• Add fresh lemon juice to prevent avocado browning and boost citrusy freshness.
• Swap white wine vinegar with apple cider vinegar for a milder, sweeter dressing profile.
• Prepare pasta al dente to maintain better texture when chilled in salad.

Creative Ideas For Chicken Avocado Pasta Salad

• Mediterranean Melody: Replace basil with oregano, add crumbled feta cheese, and use lemon juice instead of white wine vinegar for a Greek-inspired version.
• Spicy Southwest Spin: Mix in black beans, corn kernels, diced jalapeños, and swap white wine vinegar for lime juice. Sprinkle with cilantro and add a dash of chili powder.
• Asian Fusion Flair: Substitute white wine vinegar with rice vinegar, add edamame, sliced green onions, and drizzle with sesame oil. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds.
• Protein Power Punch: Include grilled shrimp or hard-boiled eggs, mix in quinoa instead of pasta, and add baby spinach leaves for extra nutritional value.

Tasty Pairings For Chicken Avocado Pasta Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complement the light, fresh flavors of the chicken avocado pasta salad, cutting through the creamy avocado and enhancing the herbal basil notes.
• Create Mediterranean Mezze Spread: Serve alongside hummus, tzatziki, olives, and warm pita bread to transform the pasta salad into a complete, vibrant meal that highlights Mediterranean ingredients.
• Match with Sparkling Water Mocktail: Craft a refreshing drink using cucumber, mint, and lime to mirror the salad's cool, zesty profile and provide a hydrating, palate-cleansing accompaniment.
• Boost with Crunchy Side Salad: Add a mixed green salad with cucumber and radish to introduce extra texture and provide a crisp contrast to the creamy pasta salad elements.

How To Store Chicken Avocado Pasta Salad The Easy Way

• Refrigerator Storage: Transfer leftover pasta salad to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep the container sealed to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Quick Refresh: Before serving chilled leftovers, gently stir the salad and add a splash of olive oil to revive the flavors and restore moisture lost during refrigeration.
• Avoid Freezing: Skip freezing this dish, as avocados and pasta tend to become mushy and lose their texture when thawed, compromising the salad's quality and taste.
• Serving Tip: Remove the pasta salad from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to come to a pleasant temperature and enhance overall flavor profile.

Questions People Ask About Chicken Avocado Pasta Salad

• Is this pasta salad healthy?

Yes, it’s nutritious! Chicken provides lean protein, avocados offer healthy fats, and vegetables add essential nutrients and fiber, making it a balanced meal.

• Can I use a different type of vinegar?

Absolutely! While white wine vinegar works great, you can substitute with apple cider vinegar or lemon juice for a slightly different tangy flavor profile.

• How can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Replace chicken with grilled tofu, chickpeas, or black beans to maintain protein content and keep the dish’s overall texture and taste similar.

• Do I need to cook the pasta al dente?

Yes, cook pasta just until firm to the bite. Slightly undercooked pasta prevents the salad from becoming mushy when mixed with dressing and other ingredients.

Chicken Avocado Pasta Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Succulent chicken and creamy avocado dance together in this Mediterranean-inspired chicken avocado pasta salad. Fresh herbs and zesty lemon elevate each forkful, promising a light yet satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 2 medium cooked chicken breasts, shredded
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes

Produce:

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1/2 cup chopped red onion
• 1/2 cup freshly chopped basil

Pasta and Dressing:

• 1 pound (454 grams) cooked rotini pasta
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) white wine vinegar
• 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• Salt, to taste
• Fresh cracked pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Shred the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces, ensuring uniform texture for better distribution throughout the pasta salad.
2. Cook pasta al dente, then rinse under cold water to stop cooking and prevent sticking, allowing it to cool completely.
3. Dice ripe avocados into uniform cubes, being careful to maintain their shape and prevent excessive mashing.
4. Slice red onions thinly to provide a sharp, crisp contrast to the creamy avocado and tender chicken.
5. Halve cherry tomatoes to release their juicy flavor and create visual interest in the salad.
6. Finely chop fresh basil leaves to enhance the herb’s aromatic qualities and distribute its flavor evenly.
7. Prepare the dressing by vigorously whisking white wine vinegar with Italian seasoning, creating a harmonious blend of tangy and herbal notes.
8. Gradually incorporate extra virgin olive oil into the vinegar mixture, emulsifying to create a smooth, well-integrated dressing.
9. Season the dressing with salt and pepper, adjusting to taste and ensuring balanced flavor profiles.
10. Combine all salad ingredients in a large mixing bowl, gently folding to prevent bruising delicate ingredients.
11. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad, tossing carefully to coat each ingredient thoroughly.
12. For optimal flavor, let the salad rest for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to marinate.
13. Serve chilled or at room temperature, and refrigerate any leftovers for up to 3 days.

Notes

• Prevent avocado browning by adding a splash of lemon juice to maintain its vibrant green color and fresh taste.
• Customize protein options by substituting chicken with grilled tofu, chickpeas, or shredded turkey for different dietary preferences.
• Enhance texture by toasting pine nuts or sunflower seeds as a crunchy topping just before serving to add extra depth and nutty flavor.
• Make ahead friendly by keeping dressing separate and adding avocado just before serving to maintain optimal salad freshness and prevent soggy ingredients.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 520
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 40 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg