Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad – Fast, Fresh & Packed with Flavor!
Looking for something light, fresh, and full of flavor? This Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad is your new go-to! It’s loaded with juicy chicken, creamy avocado, sweet cherry tomatoes, and fragrant basil.
Everything gets tossed in a simple, zesty homemade dressing, and it’s ready in about 20 minutes.
It’s perfect for lunch, meal prep, or a summer dinner, and it tastes even better the next day!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s so much to love about this pasta salad, but how fresh it tastes might be my favorite part. Creamy avocado, sweet cherry tomatoes, and fragrant basil make every bite bright and satisfying.
It’s also quick. It comes together in about 20 minutes with a simple homemade vinaigrette.
And it’s perfect for meal prep, since it tastes even better the next day.
Let’s make it!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This chicken pasta salad is made with fresh, simple ingredients.
- Cooked Chicken – shredded or diced, rotisserie works great.
- Avocados – creamy and rich.
- Rotini Pasta – cooked and chilled. Its spirals hold the dressing well.
- Red Onion – finely chopped for a little bite.
- Cherry Tomatoes – sweet and juicy.
- Fresh Basil – fragrant and fresh.
- Vinaigrette – white wine vinegar, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Step-by-Step Instructions
First, prep everything. Cook the pasta according to the package, then drain and let it cool. Shred or chop the chicken, dice the avocado, chop the onion, and halve the tomatoes.
Next, make the dressing. Whisk together the white wine vinegar, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Now assemble. Combine the pasta, chicken, avocado, tomatoes, onion, and basil. Pour the dressing over the top and gently toss.
Finally, season and serve. Add more salt and pepper if needed. Enjoy right away or refrigerate.
That’s it! Fresh, light, and full of flavor.
Expert Tips
Cool the pasta completely. Warm pasta can make the avocado mushy.
Add avocado last if making ahead. It stays fresh and green that way.
Choose short pasta. Rotini, penne, bowtie, or macaroni hold the dressing best.
Toss gently. It keeps the avocado from breaking apart.
Recipe Variations
I love this salad as it is, but it’s easy to make your own.
For a creamy dressing, whisk in a tablespoon of Greek yogurt. For a milder taste, use apple cider vinegar.
Swap the chicken for grilled shrimp, tofu, or chickpeas.
Add mozzarella pearls or feta for a cheesy twist.
Storage & Reheating
Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If making ahead, add the avocado just before serving.
This salad is served cold, so there’s no need to reheat it.
Serving Suggestions
Serve as a light lunch, or alongside grilled chicken, burgers, or grilled chicken with pepperoncini garlic butter.
It’s perfect for picnics, potlucks, and cookouts too.
Recipe FAQs
1. Can I make it ahead?
Yes! Prep it ahead and add the avocado just before serving.
2. What pasta works best?
Short shapes like rotini, penne, or bowtie. Avoid long pasta.
3. How do I keep the avocado from browning?
Add it right before serving and toss it with the dressing.
4. Can I make it vegetarian?
Yes. Use chickpeas instead of chicken.
5. Is it healthy?
It’s light and fresh, made with an olive oil vinaigrette instead of mayo.
You May Also Love
If this chicken pasta salad has you craving more fresh, easy salads, here are a few more favorites I think you’ll enjoy. They’re all perfect for lunches and picnics.
- Pesto Chicken Pasta Salad – a fresh, herby make-ahead salad.
- Bow Tie Pasta Salad with Chicken – colorful, hearty, and great for potlucks.
- Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad – all the Caesar flavor in a pasta salad.
- Copycat Ruby Tuesday Pasta Salad – a creamy restaurant favorite.
- Zesty Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad – fresh, zesty, and light.
Save a few of these for later, and you’ll always have something delicious to make!
Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Avocado, Tomato, and Basil
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.
.
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.
