Description
A nutritious and flavorful Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad that combines creamy avocado with tender chicken breast and fresh vegetables. This salad is enhanced with zesty lime juice, fresh cilantro, and a touch of Greek yogurt for extra creaminess, making it a perfect light lunch or dinner option.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 large ripe avocados
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced (about 2 medium breasts)
- ½ to 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- ¼ cup celery, finely diced
- ¼ cup red bell pepper, diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt (optional, for extra creaminess)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: If starting with raw chicken, season it with salt and pepper, then grill or bake until cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Let it cool, then dice into small cubes.
- Prepare the Avocados: Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into a large mixing bowl.
- Mash Avocado: Mash the avocado with a fork until your desired consistency is achieved, whether smooth or slightly chunky.
- Add Fresh Ingredients: Add the diced cooked chicken, halved cherry or grape tomatoes, finely diced red onion, celery, and red bell pepper to the bowl with the mashed avocado.
- Season the Salad: Sprinkle in the chopped cilantro, lime juice, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste.
- Add Creaminess: If desired, stir in the Greek yogurt to add extra creaminess to the salad.
- Combine Ingredients: Gently fold all ingredients together until everything is well combined and evenly mixed.
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning as needed, adding more lime juice, salt, or pepper according to your preference.
- Chill and Serve: Serve the salad immediately or chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
Notes
- Using cooked chicken breast saves time; rotisserie chicken can also be used.
- For a spicier kick, add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- The salad is best served fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Add chopped nuts or seeds for extra crunch and nutrition if desired.
- Substitute Greek yogurt with mayonnaise or sour cream for a different flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes (if cooking chicken from raw)
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: healthy avocado chicken salad, chicken salad with avocado, low fat chicken salad, creamy avocado chicken, easy chicken salad recipe, fresh chicken salad
