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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.
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Course: Main Course, Side Dish
Cuisine: American / Mediterranean-inspired
Keyword: Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
1 minute
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 5
Calories: 1082kcal

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 ingredients
    Cook 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 dressing
    In a small bowl, whisk together the white wine vinegar, olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  • Assemble the salad
    In 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 1082kcal | Carbohydrates: 98g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 59g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 47mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 5g
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