Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad (Printable)
Grilled chicken, creamy avocado, and crisp vegetables tossed in zesty lime dressing.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 10.5 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
# How-To Steps:
01 - Season chicken breasts lightly with salt and pepper. Grill, poach, or pan-sear until fully cooked (internal temperature 165°F), about 6-8 minutes per side. Let 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 vegetable mixture.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
05 - Pour dressing over salad ingredients and gently toss until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve immediately for best texture.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The lime dressing wakes up everything it touches, turning simple ingredients into something that feels restaurant special
- You can prep everything in advance and toss it together when hunger strikes
02 -
- The acid in the lime dressing helps prevent the avocado from browning, so dress the salad just before serving
- Room temperature ingredients absorb dressing better than cold ones straight from the refrigerator
03 -
- Pat the chicken dry before seasoning to help it develop a nice golden sear
- Let the dressed salad sit for five minutes before serving, the flavors meld beautifully