There’s a reason Avocado Chicken Salad is a lifelong favorite in my kitchen: it’s the sort of vibrant, creamy, and satisfying dish you crave for lunch but love enough for dinner. With juicy chicken, silky avocado, pops of crisp veggies, and a hint of zesty lime, this salad brings out a rainbow of flavors and textures in every bite. Whether you pile it onto toasted bread, tuck it into lettuce wraps, or scoop it with crunchy crackers, one thing is certain—this is the healthy, quick, and irresistibly delicious meal you’ll want to make on repeat.

Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

One of the best things about Avocado Chicken Salad is how simple yet purposeful each ingredient is. Every item plays a key role in flavor, texture, and color, making this salad as beautiful to look at as it is easy to throw together.

2 cups cooked chicken breast: Shredded or diced, this lean protein makes the salad hearty and filling; rotisserie chicken works like magic here.
2 ripe avocados: These are your creamy base, making every forkful luxuriously smooth—choose avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure.
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced: Adds a sharp bite and gorgeous color, balancing the richness of the avocado.
1/4 cup celery, finely diced: Brings crisp texture and a hint of freshness that keeps each bite lively.
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped: Herbaceous flavor pops that brighten the whole dish—and you can pick your favorite!
Juice of 1 lime: A burst of tartness that keeps the avocado green and the flavors bright.
2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise: Adds a touch of creamy tang (or classic richness); use mayo for a dairy-free twist.
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder: Subtle but vital, this brings gentle heat and depth.
Salt and black pepper to taste: Don’t be shy—season until all the flavors truly shine!

How to Make Avocado Chicken Salad

Step 1: Mash Your Avocados

Start by scooping the ripe avocados into a large mixing bowl. Add the fresh lime juice right away—it brightens the flavor and helps prevent any browning! Using a fork or potato masher, mash the avocados until they’re mostly smooth but still a little bit chunky for that perfect salad texture.

Step 2: Mix in Your Creamy and Seasonings

Add the Greek yogurt (or mayonnaise), garlic powder, a big pinch of salt, and several grinds of black pepper directly to your mashed avocado. Mix until everything is well incorporated. This simple blend gives your Avocado Chicken Salad its creamy, well-seasoned foundation.

Step 3: Add the Chicken and Veggies

Toss in the shredded or diced chicken breast, finely diced red onion, delicate celery, and your choice of chopped cilantro or parsley. Gently fold everything together until all the ingredients are well distributed. This is where the salad really comes to life—every color and texture mingling in that creamy avocado base.

Step 4: Taste and Adjust

Here’s your moment to make it yours: taste the salad and add more salt, pepper, or a little extra lime juice if you like it zestier. At this step, feel free to toss in extra add-ins like diced cucumber or bell pepper for another crunch, or a sprinkle of chili flakes if you want a kick.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

You can serve Avocado Chicken Salad right away on your favorite bread, nestled into lettuce wraps, or with a handful of crackers for easy scooping. The fresh, creamy texture really is best just after mixing, making it perfect for fuss-free meals.

How to Serve Avocado Chicken Salad

Garnishes

A sprinkle of extra chopped cilantro or parsley, a few slices of fresh avocado, or even a scattering of toasted seeds will take your Avocado Chicken Salad from simple to stunning. The right garnish adds color and aroma, setting the scene for an inviting plate.

Side Dishes

Pair this salad with something crisp for contrast: think sliced cucumber, fresh veggie sticks, or a handful of lightly dressed greens. For a heartier meal, a small bowl of soup or roasted sweet potatoes rounds things out beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

This Avocado Chicken Salad is wonderfully versatile—spoon it into lettuce cups for a low-carb wrap, spread onto whole-grain toast, stuff it inside a pita, or even serve as cute little scoops atop cucumber rounds for a picnic-perfect appetizer. The possibilities are deliciously endless!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any salad left, pop it into an airtight container and refrigerate. Because of the avocado, it’s best enjoyed within 24 hours; give it a gentle stir before serving to revive that creamy texture.

Freezing

Avocado doesn’t freeze well (it can get grainy and watery), so I don’t recommend freezing Avocado Chicken Salad. For best results, make only what you’ll enjoy fresh.

Reheating

There’s no need to reheat this salad—Avocado Chicken Salad is meant to be enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. If you’re using cold leftovers, let them sit on the counter for 10 minutes to take the chill off.

FAQs

Can I use rotisserie chicken for Avocado Chicken Salad?

Absolutely! Using rotisserie chicken is a fantastic time saver and adds extra juiciness to the salad. Just shred or chop it and mix in as you would with cooked chicken breast.

How can I keep the avocado from browning?

The lime juice in the recipe naturally slows browning, but if you’re storing it, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the salad before sealing your container to limit air contact.

What other herbs work besides cilantro or parsley?

Feel free to experiment—dill, chives, or even a touch of fresh basil can all bring their own signature freshness to Avocado Chicken Salad. Just be sure to chop them finely for even flavor distribution.

Is Avocado Chicken Salad healthy?

Yes! It’s packed with lean protein, healthy fats, fiber, and plenty of nutrients, and it works well for keto, low-carb, or gluten-free diets when served on greens or with grain-free crackers.

Can I make this salad dairy-free?

Definitely. Simply use all mayonnaise in place of Greek yogurt, and you’ll have a completely dairy-free, creamy Avocado Chicken Salad everybody can enjoy.

Final Thoughts

If you love easy, nourishing meals that truly satisfy, Avocado Chicken Salad is about to become your new obsession. Give it a try—you just might find yourself making it again and again, and sharing the recipe with all your favorite people.

Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 12 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This Avocado Chicken Salad is a creamy and flavorful dish that’s perfect for a quick and healthy meal. The combination of ripe avocados, tender chicken, and zesty lime juice creates a satisfying salad that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways.

Ingredients

Scale

For the salad:

2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
1/4 cup celery, finely diced
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped

For the dressing:

Juice of 1 lime
2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and black pepper to taste

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Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, mash the avocados with lime juice until smooth but slightly chunky. Stir in Greek yogurt (or mayonnaise), garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Add the chicken, red onion, celery, and cilantro, then toss gently until well combined. Adjust seasoning to taste.
Serve immediately on bread, lettuce wraps, or with crackers.

Notes

This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 day.
For extra crunch, add diced cucumber or bell pepper.
To make it dairy-free, omit the yogurt and use all mayonnaise instead.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Salad, Main Course
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American