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Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe

4.9 from 78 reviews

This Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad is a creamy and flavorful dish combining shredded cooked chicken breast with mashed ripe avocado, Greek yogurt, fresh lime juice, and a medley of herbs and vegetables. It’s a nutritious and satisfying meal perfect for a light lunch or a refreshing dinner option, packed with protein and healthy fats.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Salad Base

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
  • 1 ripe avocado, mashed
  • 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Vegetables and Herbs

  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup celery, chopped
  • 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped

Finishing Touches

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Mash the Avocado: In a large mixing bowl, use a fork to mash the ripe avocado until it becomes smooth and creamy, creating the base texture of the salad.
  2. Mix Dressing Ingredients: Stir in the Greek yogurt, fresh lime juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper into the mashed avocado, blending all the flavors thoroughly.
  3. Add Chicken: Incorporate the shredded cooked chicken breast into the avocado mixture, mixing well so that the chicken is evenly coated with the dressing.
  4. Fold in Vegetables and Herbs: Gently fold the finely diced red onion, chopped celery, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped fresh cilantro or parsley into the salad, ensuring even distribution without breaking up the ingredients.
  5. Drizzle Olive Oil: Drizzle the olive oil over the combined ingredients and gently stir to combine, adding richness and enhancing the salad’s texture.
  6. Add Spice (Optional): If desired, sprinkle red pepper flakes on top for a subtle kick of heat, tailoring the salad’s flavor to your preference.
  7. Serve or Chill: Serve the avocado chicken salad immediately for the freshest flavor, or refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully before serving.

Notes

  • Use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
  • For a creamier texture, make sure the avocado is fully ripe before mashing.
  • Substitute Greek yogurt with a dairy-free alternative to make the salad vegan-friendly.
  • Adding a squeeze more lime juice can brighten the flavors just before serving.
  • Serve the salad on toasted whole-grain bread, in a wrap, or over a bed of greens for a satisfying meal.

Keywords: avocado chicken salad, healthy chicken salad, avocado salad, low fat chicken recipe, no cook chicken salad, Greek yogurt chicken salad