Avocado Chicken Salad (Printable Version)
Creamy avocado and chicken tossed with lime-garlic dressing, tomatoes and herbs for a light, gluten-free meal.
# What You Need:
→ Poultry
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
→ Produce
02 - 2 ripe avocados, diced
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1/3 cup red onion, finely chopped
05 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
06 - 1 small cucumber, diced (optional)
07 - 2 cups mixed salad greens or lettuce
→ Dressing
08 - 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1 garlic clove, minced
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
# How to Make It:
01 - In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until well combined. Set aside.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced or shredded chicken breast, diced avocados, halved cherry tomatoes, finely chopped red onion, chopped cilantro or parsley, and diced cucumber if using.
03 - Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly. Take care not to mash the avocado pieces while tossing.
04 - Arrange a bed of mixed salad greens or lettuce on each plate and spoon the avocado chicken salad over the top. Serve immediately.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in the time it takes to listen to three songs, maybe four if your knife skills need work.
- The avocado replaces mayo entirely, so you get that creamy richness without feeling weighed down afterward.
- It bends to whatever you have hiding in the crisper drawer and still tastes like you tried hard.
02 -
- Avocados brown fast once cut, so dice them last and hit them with lime juice immediately if you are prepping ahead.
- The salad does not store well overnight because the avocado breaks down and the tomatoes get watery, so make only what you will eat.
03 -
- Sprinkle a thin layer of lime juice over the diced avocado the moment you cut it and it will stay green long enough for leftovers or photos.
- Let the dressing sit for five minutes before pouring it on so the garlic mellows and the flavors marry in the bowl.