Creamy Avocado Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Silky avocado sauce tossed with hot pasta and grilled chicken breast. A fresh, protein-rich dish ready in just 35 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Pasta

05 - 12 oz dried spaghetti or linguine

→ Avocado Sauce

06 - 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
07 - 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
08 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 clove garlic, minced
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
13 - 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, plus extra for garnish

→ Garnishes

14 - Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
15 - Lemon zest (optional)
16 - Red pepper flakes (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat grill pan or outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Brush chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Grill for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Transfer to plate and rest 5 minutes before slicing.
02 - Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
03 - In food processor or blender, combine avocados, Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, black pepper, and basil leaves. Blend until smooth and creamy.
04 - In large bowl, toss hot drained pasta with avocado sauce, adding reserved pasta water gradually as needed to achieve silky consistency.
05 - Add sliced grilled chicken to pasta mixture and gently toss to combine. Divide among serving plates and garnish with fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, lemon zest, or red pepper flakes as desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in minutes without any cooking, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something luxurious but effortless
  • You get that restaurant quality creamy pasta experience without any heavy cream or butter
  • The leftovers actually hold up beautifully for lunch the next day, unlike many avocado dishes that brown or separate
02 -
  • The sauce will thicken as it sits, so do not be afraid to add more pasta water than you think you need while tossing
  • If your avocados are not perfectly ripe, the sauce will have a slightly grassy bitter flavor instead of buttery richness
  • This dish must be served immediately after tossing because the avocado sauce does not reheat well
03 -
  • If making this for a crowd, keep the sauce separate from the pasta until the last minute to prevent browning and texture changes
  • Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, so take the yogurt and avocados out about 20 minutes before cooking
Return