Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad (Printable)
Juicy chicken meets creamy avocado in this vibrant salad with crisp vegetables and zesty lime dressing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 10.5 ounces total)
→ Vegetables & Fruits
02 - 2 ripe avocados, diced
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 small cucumber, diced
05 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
06 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
→ Dressing
07 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
08 - Juice of 1 lime
09 - 1 garlic clove, minced
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
# Directions:
01 - Season chicken breasts lightly with salt and pepper. Grill, poach, or pan-sear until fully cooked, reaching internal temperature of 165°F, about 6-8 minutes per side. Let rest for 5 minutes, then dice into bite-sized pieces.
02 - In a large bowl, combine diced avocado, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and cilantro.
03 - Add the cooled, diced chicken to the vegetable mixture.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
05 - Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss until evenly combined.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately for optimal texture and freshness.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything comes together in 30 minutes with almost zero active cooking time
- The lime dressing cuts through the creamy avocado while brightening up the whole bowl
02 -
- The salad tastes best immediately since avocado starts to brown and gets mushy after sitting too long
- Patting the chicken dry before seasoning helps it develop better color and flavor
03 -
- Adding cumin or smoked paprika to the dressing gives it a subtle smoky depth
- A splash of the lime juice on the diced avocados prevents browning while you prep everything else