This Chicken Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad with Creamy Poppyseed Dressing is like a jewel in the middle of winter. It’s savory with just a hint of sweetness that will tickle your taste buds this winter, right on through spring and straight into summer!
This is a sponsored post on behalf of Diamond of California Nuts. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help make The Beach House Kitchen possible.
Hello folks! Did y’all enjoy your weekend?
Let me guess…perhaps one too many wings at your Super Bowl Party?
No worries. I’ll get us back on the straight and narrow, because that’s what good friends do, right?
Say hello to your new favorite salad!
This Chicken Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad with Creamy Poppyseed Dressing is like a jewel in the middle of winter. It’s savory with just a hint of sweetness that will tickle your taste buds this winter, right on through spring and straight into summer!
I’m in the midst of a year long partnership with Diamond of CA Nuts which I’m just ecstaic about. So far, I’ve shared two sweet recipes… my Cinnamon Roll Ice Box Cake and my Almonds Meltaways for holiday cookie season. I’ve also shared a savory recipe for my Holiday Cheese Board with Baked Brie with Bacon Onion Jam.
Today, I’ll be adding another savory recipe to the list.
I’m so excited about this salad because it’s SUPER delicious, high on flavor and texture, yet low on effort. It also looks beautiful when served.
Honestly, there’s so much to love about it. It’s like green salad meets pasta salad. And it’s already neighbor approved, so I know you’re going to enjoy it too!
I never have a problem coming up with recipes using products from Diamond of CA Nuts because I’m a HUGE fan.
Today, I added some of their Original Glazed Walnuts to this salad and they were the perfect addition. They’re crunchy, sweet and make this salad even more satisfying.
Have you tried any of Diamond’s Nut Toppings yet? Their Nut Toppings line includes these Original Glazed Walnuts, Original Glazed Pecans, Butter Roasted Pecans and Maple Glazed Pecans. They add a delicious crunch to any salad, your morning yogurt, desserts or right out of the bag for snacking!
This salad is also packed with spring mix, pasta, fresh strawberries, avocado, shredded rotisserie chicken and salty, sharp Cotija cheese all tossed in a creamy poppyseed dressing. Sounds delicious, right?!
A Few Cook’s Notes for Chicken Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad with Creamy Poppyseed Dressing Recipe:
To make the poppyseed dressing a bit creamier, I added a few teaspoons of mayonnaise. If you want to save calories, you can omit the mayo.
I also did not overdue the honey in the dressing, but if you enjoy yours sweeter then just add a smidge more.
This salad tastes delicious with the Cotija cheese, but it also works well with feta if you’d prefer.
I used a medium sized elbow type pasta, but feel free to use penne, small bowties or shells.
I have made this salad numerous times. I love it with the Orginal Glazed Walnuts, but it also tastes delicious with the Original Glazed Pecans.
All the ingredients work swimmingly together and make this salad a delicous option for a fabulous lunch or dinner. No one will be leaving the table hungry! It’ll leave you feeling satisfied and craving for more! Enjoy!
- 3/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 Tbsp. shallots, finely chopped
- 1 1/2 Tbsp. poppy seeds
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 2 tsp. mayonnaise
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 4 cups spring mix
- 4 cups cooked pasta
- 4 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 2 cups strawberries, sliced
- 2 just ripe avocados, sliced or diced
- 1 cup Diamond of CA Original Glazed Walnuts
- 3/4 cup Cotija Chesse, finely crumbled
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Combine all ingredients for dressing in a mason jar. Shake well. Set aside.
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In a large bowl, combine spring mix, cooked pasta, chicken, starwberries and avocados. Toss. Shake dressing and pour desired amount over salad. Toss again, adding more dressing if desired. Sprinkle with glazed walnuts and Cotija cheese. Serve immediately.
This looks like the perfect make-ahead lunch. Just delicious.
This is my kind of salad Leanne! Loaded with lots of delicious ingredients to entice me to eat healthier!
I could definitely find year round enjoyment with this salad Mary Ann! Love the pairing of crunchy walnuts with strawberries and avocado. And you just can’t beat a homemade salad dressing! Pinned. Making this one some time soon for sure!
It really is so perfect for any season Leanne! Hope you give those nuts a go!
This is one beautiful and tasty salad, Mary Ann! Love everything about it, especially the avocado and strawberries in there. Pinned and trying soon :)
Thanks so much Dawn! Hope you give it a try!
Absolutely beautiful salad and I’m loving the strawberries this time of year. A little taste of Summer :)
Yes! Like I said, a jewel in the midst of winter Jennifer!
I love strawberries in salads! This sounds SO GOOD!
Me too Kelsie! This one’s a tasty one for sure. Happy Monday!
Wow! You do Diamond proud! Gorgeous recipe, once again, my friend! I’d love this tonight!
Thank you so much Annie! I absolutely LOVE their products, so I want to share!
This is definitely like a jewel! And much needed after that polar vortex! Today is actually beautiful outside and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with a few bowls of this deliciousness! I love the strawberry and avocado combo with that walnut crunch and creamy dressing?!? What’s not to love?!?!? Pinning to make soon! Cheers!
Thanks Chey! No overeating for me for the Super Bowl this year! I’m watching my diet. This salad is the perfect combo of sweet and savory. You know me, I’m not just eating yard clippings! I need something to jazz it up and entice me! Happy Monday!
OOoooh, yum Mary Ann! I love this salad! I love glazed walnuts or pecans or any nuts really, and these look so perfect for this salad. Poppyseed dressing is one of my all time favorites, and I love that this is a complete meal in a bowl. Perfect any time of year!
Thanks so much Laura! This one’s a keeper for sure. And those nuts! Yes, yes, yes!
What a perfect salad for this time of year, love this! A little sweet, a little savory, perfect!
Thanks so much Matt!
Totally my kind of salad! It actually reminds me a lot of a salad I used to always order here in town. So good!
Mine too Katherine! Loaded with lots of good stuff!
Looks great!
Thanks Boo!
The freshness and vibrant colors in here are exactly what I need to get thru this cold snap!!
I know you’ll love it Natasha!
This salad looks so incredible! Those walnuts sound like they give it the perfect little crunch and bit of sweetness! YUM!
They’re sooooo good Leigh Ann! Thanks!
This is a perfect salad for all year long, but I am really craving delicious salads like this right now! I love all the amazing textures and flavors. Nicely done!!!
Me too Kathy! I need spring and summer flavors ASAP!
This dish screams spring and summer! So fresh and light, full of tasty textures too! Awesome!
Thanks so much Kevin! I think we all need a little spring right now!
What a fabulous partnership Mary Ann! This salad looks hearty, filling and is so colorful. You know how I feel about hearty salads! I love nuts in salads and will have to keep my eyes out for those Diamond Nuts. Your creamy poppyseed dressing is totally mouthwatering!
You’d just love their nuts Traci! I love each and every flavor! Great for sweet or savory recipes. Hope your week is off to a great start!
Your lucky neighbors! This looks wonderful and so refreshingly light at this time of year. Can’t wait to dry those walnuts, they sound amazing!
Lol! They loved it! Hope you give them a try Chris! And this salad. You’d love them both!
Talk about a delicious way to ‘get back on the straight and narrow,’ Mary Ann! This salad looks so delicious and it’s just what I’m craving after all of the weekend indulgence!
I know right?! Something with some greens is definitely needed after a weekend of indulgence! Thanks Marissa!
I <3 pasta salad more than anything!
Me too Jennifer!
I feel like this is one of those salads I could eat day after day and not ever get sick of it. It looks so yummy!
You’d really enjoy this one Aimee!
This salad is a great antidote for all the Valentine treats .
Thanks Gerlinde! Bet you’d love it!
Gorgeous salad, Mary Ann! I love these flavors!
Thanks so much Laura! It’s such an incredibly tatsty salad! If I’m enjoying a salad, it’s got to be loaded with all the good stuff!