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