If you’re craving a vibrant, nourishing meal that bursts with fresh flavors and delightful textures, the Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado and Cherry Tomatoes Recipe has got you covered. This dish perfectly balances creamy avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes, tender chicken, and al dente pasta, all tossed in a zesty Italian-inspired dressing. It’s a wonderfully satisfying salad that feels both indulgent and wholesome — perfect for a light lunch, a picnic, or a healthy dinner option you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this recipe lies in its straightforward, high-quality ingredients. Each element brings its unique touch — from the creamy richness of ripe avocados to the tangy punch of white wine vinegar — creating a salad that’s as colorful as it is delicious.
- Cooked chicken breasts: Use rotisserie chicken for extra flavor and effortless prep.
- Ripe avocados: These add a creamy, buttery texture that elevates the salad’s richness.
- Rotini pasta: The twisted shape holds the dressing and ingredients perfectly.
- Red onion: Offers a subtle bite and crunch to balance the creaminess.
- Cherry tomatoes: Bursting with juiciness and a touch of sweetness.
- Fresh basil: Adds a fragrant, herbal brightness that lifts the entire dish.
- White wine vinegar: Brings acidity to brighten and tie all the flavors together.
- Italian seasoning: A fragrant blend of herbs for that classic Mediterranean vibe.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Provides richness and a smooth mouthfeel.
- Salt and fresh cracked pepper: Essential for seasoning to perfection.
How to Make Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado and Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
Step 1: Combine the Fresh Ingredients
Start by gathering your shredded chicken, cooked and chilled rotini pasta, chopped red onion, diced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, and freshly chopped basil in a large bowl. Gently mix these ingredients together, taking care not to mash the avocado. This blend creates the perfect canvas for the salad’s flavors to shine through.
Step 2: Prepare the Dressing
In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, add white wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, extra virgin olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Seal the jar and shake it vigorously until the dressing emulsifies completely. This simple homemade dressing is tangy, herbaceous, and brings everything together beautifully.
Step 3: Toss the Salad with Dressing
Pour the dressing over your salad mixture and toss gently but thoroughly, ensuring every bite is evenly coated. This step infuses the salad with that signature bold flavor you crave, while keeping the textures vibrant and fresh.
Step 4: Serve or Chill for Later
You can enjoy the salad immediately for a lively, fresh experience, or cover and refrigerate it to allow the flavors to deepen and meld. Whether eaten right away or after chilling, it’s delicious every time.
How to Serve Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado and Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
Garnishes
Add some extra flair with a sprinkle of freshly grated Parmesan, toasted pine nuts, or a few torn basil leaves on top. These simple touches add texture, richness, and visual appeal that can elevate your salad presentation to a new level.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs beautifully with crusty garlic bread, a crisp green side salad, or even some roasted vegetables. Consider serving it alongside a light soup for a well-rounded meal that satisfies without weighing you down.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado and Cherry Tomatoes Recipe in individual mason jars or on a bed of mixed greens. It’s also fantastic as a filling for whole wheat pita pockets or lettuce wraps when you want a portable lunch or picnic-ready dish.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Because avocado can brown, gently stir before serving and consider squeezing a bit of fresh lemon juice over leftovers to help preserve the green color.
Freezing
This salad is best enjoyed fresh. Freezing is not recommended because the avocado and pasta’s texture will change upon thawing, resulting in a less satisfying bite.
Reheating
Since this is a cold pasta salad, reheating is not necessary. It’s at its best served chilled or at room temperature, making it an ideal make-ahead dish for busy days.
FAQs
Can I use other types of pasta?
Absolutely! While rotini works wonderfully because it holds the dressing well, you can substitute with penne, fusilli, or farfalle. Just make sure to cook it al dente so it keeps a nice bite in the salad.
Is there a substitute for white wine vinegar?
If you don’t have white wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice can work beautifully as alternatives. They’ll keep the salad bright and tangy but with a slightly different flavor note.
How do I keep the avocado from browning?
To slow browning, toss diced avocado with a little lemon juice before adding it to the salad, or add the avocado just before serving. Also, storing leftovers in an air-tight container helps reduce exposure to air.
Can I make this salad vegan or vegetarian?
Certainly! For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and add extra beans or chickpeas for protein. Vegans can replace cheese garnishes with nutritional yeast or nuts for a cheesy, nutty flavor.
What is the best way to shred the cooked chicken?
Using two forks is a classic method that quickly breaks the meat into tender, bite-sized pieces. Alternatively, you can pulse cooked chicken briefly in a food processor, but be careful not to over-process.
Final Thoughts
Sharing the Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado and Cherry Tomatoes Recipe feels like handing over a little bit of sunshine on a plate. It’s a dish that’s quick to make but never misses when it comes to flavor, freshness, and satisfaction. Whether for a casual lunch or a light dinner, give this recipe a try — your taste buds and your body will thank you!
Print
Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado and Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A refreshing and healthy chicken pasta salad featuring tender shredded chicken, creamy avocado, fresh cherry tomatoes, and fragrant basil, all tossed with a tangy Italian seasoned white wine vinegar dressing. Perfect for a light lunch or a crowd-pleasing side dish.
Ingredients
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
- 1/2 cup white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, gently mix shredded chicken, chilled rotini pasta, chopped red onion, diced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, and freshly chopped basil. Be careful to mix gently to keep avocado pieces intact.
- Prepare Dressing: In a jar with a tight-fitting lid, pour white wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, extra virgin olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Seal the jar and shake vigorously until the dressing is well emulsified and combined.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Toss gently but thoroughly so that all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the chicken pasta salad immediately for the freshest texture and flavor, or cover and refrigerate to allow flavors to meld for later enjoyment.
Notes
- For best results, use rotisserie chicken for convenient, flavorful cooked chicken.
- Chilling the cooked pasta before mixing prevents the salad from becoming soggy.
- Handle the avocado gently to avoid mashing and to maintain appealing chunks.
- This salad can be prepared a few hours ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
- Adjust the amount of dressing to preference for creaminess or tanginess.
