I absolutely love this Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado and Cherry Tomatoes Recipe because it s a bright and refreshing meal that feels indulgent yet wholesome. When you toss creamy avocado with juicy cherry tomatoes and tender shredded chicken, you get this perfect balance of flavors that s exciting but still really comforting.
What I find really great about this salad is how versatile it is-it s fantastic for lunchboxes, potlucks, or even a light dinner on a warm day. You ll find that the simple, homemade vinaigrette ties everything together beautifully without weighing you down, making it a go-to when you want something healthy yet satisfying.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Yet Flavorful: The combination of fresh ingredients and a tangy dressing makes every bite vibrant and delicious.
- Quick & Easy to Make: Ready in about 20 minutes, it s perfect for busy weekdays or last-minute gatherings.
- Packed with Nutrients: Avocado adds healthy fats while chicken provides lean protein, making it both tasty and good for you.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Serve it chilled for picnics or room temperature as a hearty dinner salad.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The star players here are fresh, wholesome ingredients that come together effortlessly. When shopping, pick ripe avocados that give slightly to gentle pressure and cherry tomatoes that are firm and bright for maximum flavor.
- Cooked Chicken Breasts: I usually grab rotisserie chicken from the store-it saves me a ton of time and tastes fantastic in this salad.
- Avocado: Choose ripe but firm ones to avoid mushiness when mixing.
- Rotini Pasta: I love using this shape because its twists hold the dressing nicely, but other short pasta like penne works too.
- Red Onion: Adds a sharp bite; if raw onion s too intense for you, soak slices in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow the flavor.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Halve them fresh-they bring juiciness that balances the creamy avocado perfectly.
- Fresh Basil: Gives that gorgeous fragrant touch, don t skip it!
- White Wine Vinegar: It s bright and tangy without overpowering the salad.
- Italian Seasoning: A simple blend that adds herbs depth; you can also use fresh herbs if you have them.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Choose a good quality one-it makes a huge difference in the dressing.
- Salt and Pepper: Season to taste and adjust the dressing after tossing.
Variations
I love how this Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado and Cherry Tomatoes Recipe can be tailored to what you have on hand or your dietary needs. Changing up the herbs or swapping pasta for a gluten-free option lets you make it your own.
- Swap Pasta for Quinoa: I tried this variation when I wanted extra protein and a gluten-free twist, and it worked beautifully-the texture slightly changes but still keeps the salad light.
- Add Cucumber or Bell Peppers: For extra crunch and color; it s a fun way to introduce more veggies and boost freshness.
- Use Greek Yogurt in the Dressing: I sometimes mix in a tablespoon for a creamier dressing which adds a tangy twist and reduces the oil.
- Make it Vegan: Omit chicken and use chickpeas or tofu for a plant-based protein alternative.
How to Make Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado and Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Combine Your Fresh Ingredients
Start by shredding or chopping your cooked chicken breasts-using rotisserie chicken is my shortcut here because it s juicy and flavorful. Then dice the ripe avocado and halve the cherry tomatoes. Toss these together with cooked and chilled rotini pasta, chopped red onion, and freshly chopped basil in a large bowl. The key here is to make sure the avocado is ripe but firm enough so it holds up without turning mushy when mixed.
Step 2: Whisk Together the Dressing
In a small jar or bowl, combine white wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. I like to shake the jar vigorously if I m using one-it emulsifies the dressing nicely. Taste it and adjust seasoning as you like; sometimes I add a little more vinegar for extra zing or a touch more olive oil for richness.
Step 3: Toss and Serve
Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss everything until well combined. Be careful not to mash the avocado-you want distinct chunks scattered through the pasta. You can serve it immediately for a fresh, vibrant salad or chill it in the fridge for an hour if you want the flavors to meld. I ve found that chilling it also firms up the pasta a bit, which some people prefer.
Pro Tips for Making Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado and Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
- Use Chilled Pasta: Cooking pasta ahead and chilling it prevents your salad from getting soggy and helps it hold texture better.
- Pick Ripe Avocados: I discovered that slightly underripe avocados turn mushy when tossed; perfectly ripe means firm but soft to the touch.
- Gently Toss Ingredients: Using a folding motion helps keep avocado chunks intact for a prettier salad.
- Adjust Seasoning at the End: Taste after tossing since the avocado and chicken absorb flavors differently and sometimes you ll want a bit more salt or lemon vibrancy.
How to Serve Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado and Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
Garnishes
I usually finish this salad with an extra sprinkle of fresh basil and a crack of black pepper. Sometimes I like adding a little parmesan cheese on top-it gives a salty, nutty kick that pairs wonderfully with the creamy avocado. If you want a bit of brightness, a few lemon zest shavings make it pop beautifully.
Side Dishes
My go-to sides are garlic bread or a crisp green salad when serving this as a main meal. For a picnic or lunchbox, I love packing it with fresh fruit or some crunchy veggie sticks. It s light enough to pair with almost anything without feeling heavy.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I ve served this salad in hollowed-out avocado halves-it looks stunning and lets guests scoop up the goodness right from the shell. Another fun idea is layering the salad in clear glass jars for a colorful presentation that s great for parties or grab-and-go meals.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. I find the avocado may darken a bit, so I recommend eating it sooner rather than later for the freshest flavor. Squeezing a little lemon juice over the top before storing helps slow browning, which is a neat trick I learned after a few tries.
Freezing
Because of the avocado and fresh tomatoes, I don t recommend freezing this salad. They tend to get mushy and lose their texture once thawed, so it s best enjoyed fresh or within a couple of days refrigerated.
Reheating
I prefer to eat this salad cold or at room temperature-reheating it isn t really necessary or recommended. If you want to warm the chicken separately, you can do that, then toss it with the cold pasta and avocado mixture for the best texture and flavor.
FAQs
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Can I use other types of pasta for this chicken pasta salad?
Absolutely! While rotini is great for trapping the dressing, penne, fusilli, or farfalle work wonderfully as well. Just pick pasta shapes that hold onto dressing well to keep each bite flavorful.
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How do I prevent the avocado from browning in the salad?
Toss the diced avocado with a little lemon or lime juice right after cutting, or add it just before serving. The vinaigrette also helps slow browning, but fresh preparation is key to keeping it vibrant.
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Is it okay to make this salad in advance?
Yes, you can prep most parts ahead, but I recommend adding avocado and dressing just before serving to keep the salad fresh and tasty. Pre-chop veggies and cook pasta earlier to save time.
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Can I substitute the chicken for a vegetarian option?
Definitely! Chickpeas or firm tofu make great plant-based protein alternatives and maintain the salad s satisfying texture and flavor balance.
Final Thoughts
This Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado and Cherry Tomatoes Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites for how easy it is and how reliably delicious it turns out. It s the kind of dish you can toss together on a busy day but still feel like you ve made something special. I really hope you try it out soon and find yourself coming back to it again and again, just like my family does!
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
This Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado and Tomato is a vibrant, fresh, and nutritious dish perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner. Combining tender shredded chicken, creamy avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fragrant basil with a tangy Italian vinaigrette, this salad is both satisfying and wholesome. Featuring rotini pasta for a delightful texture and a simple homemade dressing, it’s easy to prepare and packed with flavor.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 medium cooked chicken breasts, shredded or chopped (rotisserie chicken recommended)
- 2 ripe avocados, pitted and diced
- 1 pound cooked rotini pasta or similar, 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
- Prepare the salad ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cooked and chilled rotini pasta, chopped red onion, diced avocado, halved cherry tomatoes, and freshly chopped basil. Season lightly with salt and freshly cracked pepper to start building layers of flavor.
- Make the dressing: In a separate jar or small bowl, whisk together the white wine vinegar, Italian seasoning, extra virgin olive oil, and salt and pepper until well emulsified. This simple vinaigrette adds a tangy and herby note to the salad.
- Toss the salad: Drizzle the prepared dressing over the chicken pasta mixture. Gently toss the salad to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful to avoid mashing the avocado while mixing.
- Serve or chill: Serve the salad immediately for a fresh taste or cover and refrigerate for later. Chilling allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making it a perfect make-ahead dish. Enjoy your healthy chicken pasta salad as a wholesome meal or a satisfying side dish.
Notes
- Use rotisserie chicken for a quick and flavorful protein addition.
- Cook pasta al dente and rinse with cold water to stop cooking and chill it before mixing.
- Be gentle when tossing to keep avocado pieces intact.
- Feel free to add other fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for variation.
- This salad can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (about 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
