Chicken and Avocado Pasta Salad

This Chicken and Avocado Pasta Salad is a healthy fuss free pasta that comes with a zesty dressing packed with flavour. It's very easy to adapt by using whatever seasonal vegs in your fridge, like red or green capsicum (bell peppers), celery, carrots or blanched green beans.

this recipe

I love this Chicken Pasta Salad with Lime and Herb Dressing! It's fresh, zesty, and loaded with nourishing greens. It's the kind of dish that works for a weeknight dinner, packed lunch, or even a relaxed weekend barbecue. Best of all? It's packed with flavour and texture but super easy to throw together.

Jump to:

• Why You'll Love This Chicken Pasta Salad
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Customise It Your Way
• Tips for Success
• Make ahead
• FAQ
• Similar Recipes
• More high protein recipes
• Chicken and Avocado Pasta Salad

Why You'll Love This Chicken Pasta Salad

• It's fresh and light, but still filling
• Uses everyday ingredients
• Zesty lime and honey mustard dressing brings it all together
• A great make-ahead option for meal prep or entertaining

Ingredients

For the Pasta

• Pasta - we used penne but you can also use casarecce, fusilli or farfalle as an alternative.
• Chicken breast - chicken breast is a low-fat, high protein food, but can be replaced by rotisserie chicken for a quick alternative.
• Lime juice - for a little zing!
• Cherry tomato - these sweet and juicy tomatoes are packed with antioxidants and your heart will thank you for it.
• Avocado - avos are packed with healthy fats, adding more heart happiness.
• Lebanese cucumber - adds crunch and freshness.
• Baby spinach leave - this little superfood is tender and loaded with goodness.
• Basil and Flat leaf parsley leaves - we love cooking with fresh herbs, they are packed with flavour and nutrients.

For the dressing

• Cider vinegar - the sweet tanginess balances the flavours in the dressing.
• Dijon mustard and honey - honey and mustard are a match made in heaven.
• Garlic - not the same without garlic. Get a tip here to take the raw taste out
• Extra virgin olive oil - add a depth of flavour.
• Salt and pepper - to taste.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

This pasta salad comes together in four simple steps:

Step 1: Pasta 
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta until just al dente, then rinse under cold water to stop the cooking and cool it down. Drain well.

Step 2: Chicken 
Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the chicken strips and cook for 5-6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Pour over the lime juice while still warm and set aside to cool.

Step 3: Dressing 
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, cider vinegar, and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 4: Assembling 
On a large serving platter or in a big bowl, combine the cooked pasta, cooled chicken, cherry tomatoes, avocado, cucumber, baby spinach, basil, and parsley. Drizzle with the dressing and toss gently to combine. Serve immediately, or chill for 30 minutes if you want it cold.

Customise It Your Way

• Add cheese: Crumbled feta or shaved parmesan would work beautifully.
• Make it vegetarian: Swap the chicken for canned chickpeas or grilled halloumi.
• Use what you have: No cherry tomatoes? Chopped regular tomatoes work too.

Tips for Success

• Cool everything before tossing: Warm pasta or chicken can wilt the greens.
• Don't skip the lime juice: It lifts the whole salad and keeps the avocado fresh.

Make ahead

You can prep all the components in advance and toss them together just before serving.

FAQ

This Avocado and chicken pasta with Lime and Herb Dressing is one of those recipes that makes life easier and tastier. It's colourful, balanced, and full of fresh flavour-and perfect for feeding hungry teens, too!

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