If you’re looking to wow your friends at your next gathering or simply treat yourself to a refreshing, creamy, and flavorful salad, you’ve just found The Most Amazing Avocado Pasta Salad Recipe. This dish perfectly balances perfectly cooked pasta, rich avocado dressing, tender chicken, crispy bacon, and fresh veggies to create a symphony of tastes and textures. Every bite bursts with brightness from lemon juice and dill, comfort from eggs and bacon, and a luscious smoothness from that dreamy avocado sauce. It’s the kind of salad that becomes an instant favorite and a go-to staple in your recipe collection.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The simplicity of The Most Amazing Avocado Pasta Salad Recipe lies in its humble yet flavorful ingredients. Each one plays a vital role in creating a perfect medley of taste, texture, and color, making this a dish that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat.
- 500 g / 1 lb spiral pasta: Choose spirals or your favorite shape; they hold the creamy dressing beautifully.
- 1 tbsp cooking / kosher salt: Essential for seasoning the pasta water to enhance flavor throughout.
- 1 1/3 cups avocado: Ripe and creamy, mashed to provide the silky base of the dressing.
- 1/2 cup buttermilk: Adds a slight tang and makes the dressing beautifully smooth; yogurt with milk works too.
- 1/3 cup whole egg mayonnaise: Just a touch to boost creaminess and bind the dressing.
- 3 tbsp lemon juice: Brings the bright, zesty punch to balance rich avocado.
- 1 1/2 garlic cloves: Minced or grated, for a subtle savory kick.
- 1/2 tsp onion powder: Enhances depth without overpowering freshness.
- 1 1/4 tsp cooking salt: To season the dressing perfectly.
- 1/2 tsp black pepper: Adds gentle heat and complexity.
- 1/4 cup dill: Finely chopped, adding bright herbal notes and fresh green flecks.
- 2 x 250 g / 8 oz chicken breasts: Skinless, boneless, seasoned for juicy, tender protein.
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika: Creates subtle smoky warmth for the chicken.
- 1/2 tsp cooking salt: For perfectly seasoned chicken.
- 1/4 tsp black pepper: To spice the chicken gently.
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil: For cooking the chicken and adding richness.
- 250 g / 8 oz streaky bacon: Crispy and salty, a perfect contrast.
- 6 eggs: Hard-boiled for texture and creaminess.
- 250 g / 8 oz cherry tomatoes: Halved to bring juicy sweetness and color.
- 1/4 red onion: Very finely sliced for mild pungency and crunch.
- 1 celery stem: Thinly sliced for crisp freshness.
- 1/4 cup dill: Extra for garnish and bursts of flavor throughout the salad.
How to Make The Most Amazing Avocado Pasta Salad Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Pasta to Perfection
Start by boiling your pasta in salted water until it’s al dente—tender but still with a little bite. This texture holds up beautifully when tossed with the creamy avocado dressing and the crunchy vegetables later. Drain and set aside to cool slightly before mixing it all together.
Step 2: Prepare the Avocado Dressing
While the pasta is cooking, mash your ripe avocados until smooth in a large bowl. Add the buttermilk, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and finely chopped dill. Whisk everything until it becomes a luscious, creamy dressing that coats every forkful with richness and a fresh zing.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken and Bacon
Season the chicken breasts with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and cook the chicken until golden and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes each side depending on thickness. Meanwhile, in a separate pan, crisp up the streaky bacon until beautifully crunchy. Once cooked, chop both the chicken and bacon into bite-sized pieces, ready to bring smoky, savory goodness to the salad.
Step 4: Boil and Peel the Eggs
Hard boil the eggs by placing them in boiling water for about 10 minutes. Once done, cool them in ice water, peel carefully, and chop roughly. The eggs add a creamy texture and subtle richness that complements the fresh, vibrant ingredients perfectly.
Step 5: Assemble the Salad
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, avocado dressing, chicken, bacon, chopped eggs, halved cherry tomatoes, finely sliced red onion, and celery. Toss gently until everything is evenly coated and beautifully mixed. Sprinkle the remaining chopped dill over the top for a bright finish that ties everything together.
How to Serve The Most Amazing Avocado Pasta Salad Recipe
Garnishes
Add a sprinkle of freshly chopped dill or a few torn basil leaves on top to add an aromatic burst. A final drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or a few lemon zest curls brighten the presentation beautifully and add an extra touch of freshness.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs wonderfully with light, crisp sides like a chilled cucumber salad or a platter of grilled vegetables. For a heartier meal, serve alongside garlic bread or a warm, crusty baguette that soaks up the creamy dressing deliciously.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the salad in hollowed-out avocados or colorful serving bowls to highlight its vibrant green hues. You can also skew the chicken and bacon pieces for an interactive, finger-food style presentation, perfect for parties or casual family gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. Because avocado can oxidize and turn brown, it’s best to enjoy this salad fresh, but the lemon juice in the dressing helps slow down browning nicely.
Freezing
Freezing this avocado pasta salad is not recommended as the avocado dressing and fresh vegetables tend to lose their texture and freshness once thawed. For best results, always prepare and consume fresh.
Reheating
This salad is intended to be served cold or at room temperature, so reheating is not necessary. If you want warm chicken, heat it separately and add it just before serving to retain the freshness of the salad.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of pasta?
Absolutely! While spiral pasta works great because it holds the dressing well, penne, fusilli, or even bowties can all be delicious choices based on your preference.
How do I know when my avocado is ripe enough?
Look for avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure but aren’t mushy. They should also have a deeper color and sometimes a slight fragrance near the stem, ensuring creaminess for the dressing.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! Simply omit the chicken and bacon. Add extra veggies like roasted peppers or mushrooms, or even some toasted nuts for texture and protein.
What’s a good substitute for buttermilk?
If you don’t have buttermilk, mix half a cup of yogurt with half a cup of milk or add a teaspoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to a cup of milk and let it sit for a few minutes before using.
Is this salad suitable for meal prep?
Definitely! Just keep the dressing separate until ready to serve or toss the salad in the morning so it stays fresh and vibrant throughout the day.
Final Thoughts
This recipe truly earns its name as The Most Amazing Avocado Pasta Salad Recipe, blending simple ingredients into something spectacularly fresh, creamy, and satisfying. Whether you’re whipping it up for a casual lunch, a potluck, or a picnic, it’s guaranteed to delight everyone at the table. So grab those avocados and pasta, and dive into one of the most deliciously easy salads you’ll ever make!
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The Most Amazing Avocado Pasta Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 10 – 12 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
This incredibly creamy and flavorful avocado pasta salad combines perfectly cooked spiral pasta with a zesty avocado-based dressing, tender chicken breasts, crispy bacon, boiled eggs, and fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes, red onion, and celery. The salad is enriched with herbs like dill and balanced with buttermilk and lemon juice to create a refreshing and satisfying dish ideal for gatherings or meal prep.
Ingredients
Pasta and Cooking Ingredients
- 500 g / 1 lb spiral pasta (or other pasta of choice)
- 1 tbsp cooking/kosher salt (for cooking pasta water)
Avocado Dressing
- 1 1/3 cups avocado (about 1½ medium avocados, mashed)
- ½ cup buttermilk (or substitute with a mix of yogurt and milk)
- â…“ cup whole egg mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp lemon juice (can substitute with cider vinegar)
- 1½ garlic cloves, finely grated or minced
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 1¼ tsp cooking salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¼ cup dill, finely chopped
Chicken
- 2 x 250 g / 8 oz chicken breasts, skinless and boneless
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (or substitute with regular paprika)
- ½ tsp cooking salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Other Ingredients
- 250 g / 8 oz streaky bacon
- 6 eggs
- 250 g / 8 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ red onion, very finely sliced
- 1 celery stem, thinly sliced (about 0.5 cm / 1/5 inch thick)
- ¼ cup dill, finely chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add the spiral pasta. Cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain well and rinse briefly under cold water to stop cooking. Set aside to cool.
- Prepare the Avocado Dressing: In a medium bowl, mash the avocado until smooth. Add buttermilk, whole egg mayonnaise, lemon juice, grated garlic, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and finely chopped dill. Mix well until creamy and combined. Adjust seasoning if needed.
- Cook the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through and no longer pink inside. Remove from pan, let rest for a few minutes, then slice into strips or bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare Bacon and Eggs: In the same skillet (or a separate pan), cook the streaky bacon until crispy. Drain on paper towels and chop into pieces. Hard boil the eggs by placing them in boiling water for 9-12 minutes, then cool, peel, and chop.
- Assemble the Salad: In a large serving bowl, combine the cooled pasta, avocado dressing, cooked chicken, bacon pieces, chopped boiled eggs, halved cherry tomatoes, finely sliced red onion, sliced celery, and extra chopped dill. Toss gently to mix all ingredients evenly. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor.
Notes
- Note 1: When measuring avocado by volume, scoop out flesh and mash it directly in the measuring cup for accuracy.
- Note 2: If you don’t have buttermilk, combine equal parts plain yogurt and milk as a substitute.
- Note 3: Whole egg mayonnaise helps achieve a creamy texture with a mild tang; adjust quantity to taste.
- Note 4: Fresh dill adds a nice herbal brightness; adjust the amount based on your preference.
