Avocado Pasta Salad

Why Make This Recipe

This avocado pasta salad is not just a dish; it’s a delight! With its creamy avocado dressing and vibrant mix of ingredients, it turns an ordinary meal into something special. It’s perfect for a summer picnic, a quick lunch, or a fun dinner with friends. The combination of pasta, protein-rich chicken, crispy bacon, and fresh veggies makes this salad satisfying and full of flavor. Take the chance to impress your family or guests with this amazing dish.

How to Make The Most Amazing Avocado Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

500 g / 1 lb spiral pasta (or other of choice)
1 tbsp cooking / kosher salt (for cooking water)
1 1/3 cups avocado (smushed in cup measures, ~ 1 1/2 avocados, Note 1)
1/2 cup buttermilk (sub yogurt + milk, Note 2)
1/3 cup whole egg mayonnaise (just a bit! Note 3)
3 tbsp lemon juice (sub cider vinegar)
1 1/2 garlic cloves (finely grated or minced)
1/2 tsp onion powder
1 1/4 tsp cooking salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup dill (finely chopped, Note 4)
2 x 250g/8oz chicken breasts (skinless boneless)
1/2 tsp smoked paprika (sub ordinary)
1/2 tsp cooking salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
250 g / 8 oz streaky bacon
6 eggs
250 g / 8 oz cherry tomato (halved)
1/4 red onion (very finely sliced)
1 celery stem (finely sliced 0.5 cm / 1/5")
1/4 cup dill (finely chopped, Note 4)

Directions:

Chicken & Crispy Bacon:
Start by seasoning the chicken breasts with smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a pan and cook the chicken until golden and cooked through. In the same pan, fry the streaky bacon until crispy. Remove both from heat and let them cool.

Cook Pasta:
Boil water in a large pot and add salt. Cook the spiral pasta according to the package instructions. Once done, drain and rinse the pasta under cold water to cool it down.

Boil Eggs:
In a small pot, boil the eggs for about 10-12 minutes until hard-boiled. Once done, cool them under cold running water, peel, and chop them.

Dressing:
In a bowl, mix the smushed avocado, buttermilk, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy.

Toss:
In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, dressed avocado mix, chopped chicken, crispy bacon, halved cherry tomatoes, red onion, celery, and dill. Toss gently to combine all the ingredients well.

How to Serve The Most Amazing Avocado Pasta Salad

This salad is best served fresh. You can enjoy it on its own or pair it with some crusty bread. Garnish with extra dill or avocado slices for a beautiful presentation. It’s perfect for a picnic or a weekday meal.

How to Store The Most Amazing Avocado Pasta Salad

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. The salad is best eaten within 2 days. If possible, keep the dressing separate until ready to serve to maintain the salad’s freshness.

Tips to Make The Most Amazing Avocado Pasta Salad

Make sure to use ripe avocados for the best creamy texture.
Adjust lemon juice to your taste if you prefer a tangier dressing.
For an added crunch, toss in some nuts like walnuts or pine nuts.

Variation

You can easily adjust this recipe to suit your taste. Add or swap in different vegetables like bell peppers, carrots, or spinach for a unique twist. For a vegetarian option, omit the chicken and bacon and add more beans or chickpeas.

FAQs

1. Can I make this salad ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the salad a few hours in advance. Just keep the dressing separate until you’re ready to serve.

2. What can I use instead of buttermilk?
You can substitute buttermilk with a mixture of yogurt and milk, or simply use regular milk.

3. How can I make this salad lighter?
To make it lighter, reduce the amount of mayonnaise or use a Greek yogurt dressing instead. You can also use less bacon or chicken.