Avocado Chicken Salad (Printable View)
Tender chicken, creamy avocado, crisp veggies and lime-garlic dressing—quick, protein-rich lunch or picnic option.
# Ingredient List:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced (about 2 medium breasts)
→ Vegetables & Fruits
02 - 2 ripe avocados, diced
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
05 - 1 small cucumber, diced
06 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
→ Dressing
07 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
09 - 1 clove garlic, minced
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
→ Optional Add-ins
12 - 1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled
13 - 1/4 cup sliced almonds
# How to Prepare:
01 - Dice the avocados, halve the cherry tomatoes, finely chop the red onion, dice the cucumber, and mince the garlic. Shred or dice the cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the prepared chicken, avocados, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, and chopped cilantro.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, fresh lime juice, minced garlic, salt, and ground black pepper until well blended.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss until everything is evenly coated, being careful not to mash the avocado.
05 - Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and sliced almonds over the top if using, and toss lightly to distribute.
06 - Serve immediately at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The creamy avocado coats everything so luxuriously you will forget there is no mayonnaise involved.
- It comes together in thirty minutes flat with zero cooking if you grab a rotisserie bird on the way home.
02 -
- Avocado oxidizes quickly so press plastic wrap directly against the surface of any leftovers and eat them within a day.
- Adding the dressing while the chicken is still slightly warm helps it absorb more flavor than cold chicken ever will.
03 -
- Toss the diced avocado in a tiny splash of lime juice before adding it to the bowl and it will hold its bright green color significantly longer.
- Toasting the almonds in the same pan you plan to wash anyway adds maximum flavor with zero extra cleanup.