Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe
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.
- Author: Mila
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
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)
- 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.
- 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.
- Add Chicken: Incorporate the shredded cooked chicken breast into the avocado mixture, mixing well so that the chicken is evenly coated with the dressing.
- 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.
- Drizzle Olive Oil: Drizzle the olive oil over the combined ingredients and gently stir to combine, adding richness and enhancing the salad’s texture.
- 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.
- 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