Avocado, Tomato, and Basil Chicken Pasta Salad – Healthy and Refreshing
Avocado, Tomato, and Basil Chicken Pasta Salad – This recipe brings together the heartiness of chicken and pasta with the lightness of fresh vegetables and herbs. It’s a nutrient-packed dish filled with plump tomatoes, creamy avocado, and aromatic basil. Ideal for a healthy lunch or as a delightful offering at a potluck, this salad is sure to be a hit for those seeking something both fulfilling and bursting with flavor.
Ingredients for the Avocado, Tomato, and Basil Chicken Pasta Salad:
- 2 medium-sized cooked and shredded or chopped chicken breasts (rotisserie chicken is great for this)
- 2 ripe avocados, pitted and cubed
- 1 pound of rotini pasta, cooked (or any similar pasta)
- 1/2 cup of red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, sliced in halves
- 1/2 cup of fresh basil, roughly chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusted to your preference
For the Dressing:
- 1/2 cup of white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning
- 3/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
HOW TO MAKE?
Whipping up this Avocado, Tomato, and Basil Chicken Pasta Salad couldn’t be simpler or faster. In under 20 minutes, you’ll have a dish that’s not only bursting with flavor but can also hold up well in the fridge for a couple of days, up to three actually – which is perfect for meal prep.
I decided to go with rotisserie chicken for this recipe for its convenience and flavor, but there’s total flexibility here. If you’ve got the time, roasting or grilling your own chicken breasts is a great option, or you could even make good use of any chicken leftovers from a previous meal. Just toss all the ingredients into a large bowl, mix up the dressing, and your pasta salad is served. It’s that straightforward and absolutely delicious.
HOW TO MAKE DRESSING?
The dressing really ties this Avocado, Tomato, and Basil Chicken Pasta Salad together, and it’s remarkable how it’s made with just five simple ingredients – salt and pepper included.
To whip up the dressing, I take a bowl and briskly whisk together white wine vinegar with extra-virgin olive oil, a generous helping of Italian seasoning, and a good pinch of salt and pepper. It’s quite straightforward, but don’t let that fool you. When it’s drizzled over the pasta, chicken, tomato, and avocado, it transforms the dish, bringing all the flavors to life in a truly incredible way.
And there’s room for tweaking too. Sometimes, I add a tablespoon of Greek yogurt for a creamier texture, or swap out the white wine vinegar for apple cider vinegar to soften the tang. It’s all about making the salad dressing suit your taste.
Avocado, Tomato, and Basil Chicken Pasta Salad
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Avocado, Tomato, and Basil Chicken Pasta Salad:
- 2 medium-sized cooked and shredded or chopped chicken breasts (rotisserie chicken is great for this)
- 2 ripe avocados, pitted and cubed
- 1 pound of rotini pasta, cooked (or any similar pasta)
- 1/2 cup of red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, sliced in halves
- 1/2 cup of fresh basil, roughly chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusted to your preference
For the Dressing:
- 1/2 cup of white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning
- 3/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Grab a spacious bowl and toss in the main players of your salad – the shredded chicken, cooked pasta, diced red onion, creamy chunks of avocado, juicy halved cherry tomatoes, and the fresh, fragrant basil.
- Next, take a mason jar or any jar with a tight-fitting lid. Pour in the white wine vinegar, add a good sprinkle of Italian seasoning, and follow up with the extra virgin olive oil. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper. Seal the lid and give it a vigorous shake until the dressing ingredients are fully emulsified.
- Now, it's time to dress up the salad. Drizzle the vinaigrette over the chicken pasta salad, giving it a gentle but thorough toss to ensure every piece is coated with the dressing's zesty flavor.
- Serve your chicken pasta salad right away if you fancy a fresh taste, or pop it in the fridge to chill if you're prepping for later. Either way, it's bound to be a delightful treat! Enjoy!
