When the summer heat hits, we’re all looking for easy, refreshing, and satisfying dishes to serve at family gatherings, potlucks, or just for a light dinner.
One dish that always stands out is pasta salad, and this Chicken Avocado Pasta Salad is a delightful variation that combines fresh, seasonal ingredients with tender chicken and a homemade dressing.
Perfect for summer cookouts, this colorful salad will quickly become a favorite in your recipe rotation.
Recipe Highlights
- Seasonal Ingredients: This pasta salad is bursting with summer flavors, featuring ripe avocados, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fragrant basil.
- Protein-Packed: The addition of tender chicken makes this pasta salad hearty enough for a main dish, while still being light and fresh.
- Homemade Dressing: The simple, zesty vinaigrette elevates the flavors of the salad, adding a touch of tang and sweetness to balance out the creaminess of the avocado.
- Perfect for Potlucks: You can easily prepare this salad ahead of time, and it travels well, making it an excellent choice for outdoor events and gatherings.
Ingredient Notes
For the Chicken Avocado Pasta Salad:
- Rotini Pasta: A corkscrew-shaped pasta that’s perfect for holding onto the dressing. You can also use penne, rigatoni, or bow-tie pasta if you prefer.
- Cooked Chicken Breast: Opt for a rotisserie chicken for convenience or cook your own chicken breasts for a fresh, tender bite.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Bright red and bursting with fresh flavor, these tomatoes add a pop of color to the dish.
- Red Onion: Thinly sliced for a mild, slightly sweet crunch.
- Fresh Basil: Adds a fragrant herbaceous note that’s perfect for summer.
- Crumbled Feta Cheese: For a salty, tangy contrast that complements the creamy avocado.
- Fresh Italian Parsley: Adds a fresh, green flavor that lightens up the dish.
- Avocados: The star ingredient, adding a rich, creamy texture and healthy fats. You’ll need 1 large or 2 small ripe avocados.
For the Pasta Salad Dressing:
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The base of the dressing, giving it a rich, smooth texture.
- Red Wine Vinegar: This vinegar’s robust flavor pairs beautifully with Dijon mustard and Italian seasoning. If you prefer a milder dressing, try substituting with white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a bit of tanginess and a slight kick to the dressing.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano, thyme, and basil that’s perfect for this Mediterranean-inspired salad.
- Sugar: A touch of sweetness to balance the acidity of the vinegar.
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To taste, bringing the flavors together.
How to Make Chicken Avocado Pasta Salad
- Cook the Pasta & Make the Dressing: Boil the pasta in salted water according to the package instructions. While the pasta cooks, whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small mason jar until well combined.
- Cool the Pasta: Drain the pasta and transfer it to a large bowl. Pour about half of the dressing over the warm pasta, tossing to coat. Let the pasta sit and cool for at least 20 minutes (or pop it in the fridge to speed up the process).
- Assemble the Salad: Once the pasta has cooled, add the cooked chicken, cherry tomatoes, red onion, basil, feta, and parsley. Toss everything together until evenly mixed.
- Finish with Avocado: Gently fold in the chopped avocado and drizzle with the remaining dressing to taste. If you’re not serving immediately, cover and refrigerate the salad until you’re ready to serve. Add the avocado just before serving to keep it fresh.
How Do You Ripen Avocados?
It’s often frustrating to find avocados that are too hard to use, but there’s a simple trick to speed up the ripening process.
Place your avocados in a brown paper bag with an apple or banana. Close the bag and leave it at room temperature.
The ethylene gas produced by the apple or banana will help ripen the avocado in a day or two.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
If you’re preparing this dish ahead of time, it’s best to omit the avocado until you’re ready to serve to prevent it from browning.
You can store the salad in the fridge for up to 8 hours, and the flavors will deepen as the ingredients marinate in the dressing.
When you’re ready to serve, simply fold in the avocado and give it another quick toss.
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container. While the avocado may lose some of its freshness, the acid in the dressing helps it hold up for a day or two. For the best taste, try to enjoy the salad within 1-2 days.
Delicious Variations
- Pasta: While rotini is the perfect pasta for this dish, feel free to swap it out for any short pasta like penne, rigatoni, or bow-tie pasta.
- Add-ins: For extra flavor, you can add sweet corn (fresh or thawed frozen), black olives, chopped cucumber, or even toasted walnuts for a crunchy twist.
- Grilled Chicken: Instead of rotisserie chicken, you can grill your own chicken breasts with a simple seasoning of salt and pepper or your favorite spices.
- Vegetarian: Skip the chicken altogether for a vegetarian version of this pasta salad that’s just as delicious.
This Chicken Avocado Pasta Salad is sure to be a hit at your next summer gathering or potluck. Its combination of fresh, flavorful ingredients and the creamy, tangy dressing make it a crowd-pleasing dish everyone will love.
Enjoy it as a main course, a side dish, or a light lunch — no matter the occasion, this pasta salad will always shine.
