Fresh Avocado Chicken Salad (Printable)

A fresh, creamy blend of shredded chicken, ripe avocado, and crisp vegetables tossed in a bright lime dressing.

# Components:

→ 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

# Directions:

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.
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 comes together faster than ordering takeout and tastes twice as fresh.
  • The creamy avocado makes it feel indulgent even though its clean and light.
  • You can make it with whatever chicken you have on hand, no fancy prep required.
  • The lime dressing is so bright it wakes up every single ingredient.
02 -
  • Do not make this salad more than an hour before serving or the avocado will oxidize and lose its vibrant green color.
  • If your avocados are not ripe enough, they will taste bland and chalky, so plan ahead and let them ripen on the counter.
  • Always dress the salad just before serving, not in advance, or the acid in the lime juice will break down the vegetables.
03 -
  • Use a fork to shred your chicken instead of a knife for a softer, more integrated texture that soaks up the dressing.
  • Chill your serving bowl in the fridge for 10 minutes before assembling the salad to keep everything crisp and cool.
  • Squeeze a little extra lime juice over the top just before serving to brighten up the flavors one last time.
Return