Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad (Printable)
Juicy chicken meets creamy avocado and crisp vegetables in this vibrant 30-minute salad with tangy lime dressing.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 10 oz 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
# Steps:
01 - Season the chicken breasts lightly with salt and pepper. Grill, poach, or pan-sear them until fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F), about 6-8 minutes per side. Allow to rest 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 bowl with the vegetables.
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 well combined.
06 - Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately for best texture.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything comes together in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights
- The combination of creamy avocado and bright lime dressing makes every bite feel like a treat
02 -
- Avocado browns quickly once cut, so dress and serve this salad immediately after assembling
- The chicken really needs that 5 minute rest period or it will turn dry and disappointing
03 -
- If your avocados are not quite ripe, leave them on the counter in a paper bag with a banana
- Room temperature ingredients absorb the dressing better than cold ones from the fridge