Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad – Fast, Fresh & Packed with Flavor!
If you love quick, easy, and flavor-packed meals, this Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad is going to be your new go-to! With juicy chicken, creamy avocado, sweet cherry tomatoes, and fragrant basil, this salad is light yet satisfying, perfect for lunch, meal prep, or a refreshing dinner. Tossed in a simple, zesty homemade dressing, it’s the kind of effortless recipe that delivers big on taste with minimal effort. Ready in 20 minutes, keeps well for days, and tastes even better the next day—this is one recipe you’ll want to make on repeat!
Let’s dive in!
Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado, Tomato, and Basil
This Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad is packed with protein, fresh veggies, and a flavorful homemade dressing. It's a perfect choice for a quick lunch, light dinner, or even a meal-prep option for busy days.
Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 2 medium cooked chicken breasts, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great!)
- 2 ripe avocados, pitted and diced
- 1 Ib rotini pasta (or similar), cooked and chilled
- ½ cup 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup 1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
- Salt and fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
For the Dressing:
- ½ cup white wine vinegar
- ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the ingredientsCook the pasta according to the package instructions, then drain and let it cool.If using fresh chicken, cook and shred or chop it into bite-sized pieces.Dice the avocado, chop the onion, and halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Make the dressingIn a small bowl, whisk together the white wine vinegar, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Assemble the saladIn a large mixing bowl, combine the pasta, chicken, avocado, tomatoes, red onion, and basil.Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss until everything is well coated.
- Serve and enjoy!Season with additional salt and pepper if needed.Enjoy immediately or refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Notes
Tips & Variations:
Best pasta choices: Rotini, penne, bowtie, or macaroni work best as they hold the dressing well. Avoid long pastas like spaghetti or tagliatelle.
Dressing customization: Add a tablespoon of Greek yogurt for a creamy texture, or swap white wine vinegar for apple cider vinegar for a milder taste.
Protein swaps: Try grilled shrimp, tofu, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian alternative.
Make ahead: This salad can be prepped in advance, but add the avocado just before serving to keep it fresh.
Best pasta choices: Rotini, penne, bowtie, or macaroni work best as they hold the dressing well. Avoid long pastas like spaghetti or tagliatelle.
Dressing customization: Add a tablespoon of Greek yogurt for a creamy texture, or swap white wine vinegar for apple cider vinegar for a milder taste.
Protein swaps: Try grilled shrimp, tofu, or even chickpeas for a vegetarian alternative.
Make ahead: This salad can be prepped in advance, but add the avocado just before serving to keep it fresh.
