Avocado Chicken Salad (Printable)

A fresh and creamy combination of tender chicken, ripe avocado, cherry tomatoes, and herbs tossed in a zesty lime dressing.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced

→ Vegetables & Fruit

02 - 2 ripe avocados, diced
03 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
04 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - 1 small cucumber, diced

→ Herbs & Seasonings

06 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Dressing

10 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
11 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

# Steps:

01 - In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, diced avocados, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and cucumber.
02 - Add the chopped cilantro and parsley to the bowl.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
04 - Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine, being careful not to mash the avocado.
05 - Serve immediately, or chill for up to 1 hour before serving for a colder, firmer texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent but leaves you feeling light and energized, not weighed down.
  • You can throw it together in the time it takes to scroll through your phone, and it actually tastes like you tried.
  • The avocado replaces mayo entirely, so you get all the creaminess without any of the guilt or gloppy texture.
  • It works on its own, in a wrap, or piled onto toast, so you can eat it however your day demands.
02 -
  • If you toss the salad too hard, the avocado will turn into a green mush and coat everything like guacamole, which isn't terrible but changes the whole texture.
  • The lime juice not only adds flavor but also keeps the avocado from browning, so don't skip it or try to substitute with lemon unless you want a totally different vibe.
  • This salad doesn't age well; the avocado oxidizes and the vegetables release water, so make only what you'll eat within a day.
03 -
  • Toss the avocado with the lime juice first before adding anything else; it coats every piece and locks in the color and flavor.
  • Use a rotisserie chicken and you'll have this salad on the table in under ten minutes, no cooking required.
  • Taste before serving and adjust the salt; avocado absorbs seasoning quickly, so what tastes right at first might need a pinch more after it sits for a few minutes.
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