Description
A fresh, creamy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado and Tomatoes that combines tender chicken, ripe avocados, juicy cherry tomatoes, and perfectly cooked pasta tossed in a zesty Greek yogurt-based dressing. Ready in under 30 minutes, this versatile salad is ideal for lunch, picnics, or a flavorful side dish, offering a perfect balance of texture, flavor, and ease of preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta and Protein
- 2 cups cooked short pasta (rotini or penne)
- 1 1/2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
Vegetables and Herbs
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil or parsley, chopped
Dressing
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or plant-based yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vegetarian Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking and cool the pasta for the salad.
- Prepare the Chicken: While the pasta cooks, dice cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. Leftover or rotisserie chicken works well and saves time.
- Chop the Vegetables and Herbs: Halve the cherry tomatoes, finely slice the red onion, and chop fresh herbs like basil or parsley. Dice the avocado last to keep it fresh and prevent browning.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, lemon juice, vegetarian Worcestershire sauce, olive oil, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning to taste for the perfect balance.
- Combine Everything: In a large bowl, gently toss the cooled pasta, diced chicken, tomatoes, onion, herbs, and avocado. Pour the dressing over and mix just until everything is well coated, being careful not to mash the avocado too much.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and keep it refreshing.
Notes
- Use ripe avocados that yield slightly when pressed for the best creamy texture.
- Add dressing gradually to avoid making the salad soggy.
- Cook pasta al dente to prevent mushy texture and ensure it holds up well when chilled.
- Add delicate ingredients like avocado last to maintain brightness and texture.
- Chill the salad before serving to enhance flavor blending and keep it cool.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: chicken pasta salad, avocado salad, creamy pasta salad, quick chicken salad, healthy pasta salad
