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
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
- 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.
