Creamy Avocado Chicken Pasta (Printable version)

Ripe avocado blended into a silky sauce with grilled chicken and hot pasta. Quick, fresh, and satisfying.

# Needed ingredients:

→ 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)

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat a 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 a plate and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
02 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain and set aside.
03 - In a food processor or blender, combine avocados, Greek yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, salt, black pepper, and basil leaves. Blend until smooth and creamy.
04 - In a large bowl, toss hot drained pasta with the avocado sauce, adding reserved pasta water a little at a time as needed for a silky consistency. Add sliced grilled chicken and gently toss to combine.
05 - Divide among plates and garnish with extra basil, Parmesan, lemon zest, or red pepper flakes if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in under 5 minutes with zero cooking required
  • That creamy texture comes from healthy fats instead of heavy cream
02 -
  • The sauce will thicken as it sits, so add more pasta water if needed before serving
  • Make sure your avocados are perfectly ripe or the sauce will never get smooth
03 -
  • Use room temperature ingredients for the silkiest sauce texture
  • Undercook the pasta by 1 minute since it will finish in the sauce
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