Chicken Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad with Creamy Poppyseed Dressing

This Chicken Strawberry Avocado Pasta Salad with Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing is the perfect summer salad. It's savory with just a hint of sweetness that will tickle your taste buds right through spring and straight into summer!

Prep Time20 mins

Total Time20 mins

Course: Main Course, Salad, Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: salad

Servings: servings

Calories: 431kcal

Author: MaryAnn Dwyer

Ingredients

Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

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

Salad

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 Glazed Walnuts
3/4 cup Cotija Chesse, finely crumbled

Instructions

Creamy Poppy Seed Dressing

Combine all ingredients for dressing in a mason jar. Shake well. Set aside.

Salad

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.

Notes

o make the poppy seed 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.

This salad is delicious with either glazed pecan, walnuts or even almonds.

Nutrition