Avocado Chicken Salad (View Print Version)

A fresh and creamy salad with tender chicken, ripe avocado, lime juice, and vibrant herbs ready in just 30 minutes.

# 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

# Method:

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 mixture.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper until well combined.
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 in under twenty minutes and tastes like something you'd order at a cafe.
  • The creamy avocado acts as both the star and the dressing, so you don't need mayo or anything heavy.
  • It's endlessly adaptable and works just as well stuffed into pita as it does eaten straight from the bowl with a fork.
02 -
  • Don't toss the salad too hard or the avocado will turn into a paste instead of staying in beautiful green chunks.
  • If your avocados aren't quite ripe, let them sit in a paper bag overnight with a banana to speed things up.
  • Add the dressing right before serving if you're making it ahead, otherwise the acid from the lime will start breaking down the avocado.
03 -
  • A squeeze of lime over the avocado right after you dice it keeps it from turning brown while you prep everything else.
  • Use rotisserie chicken to save time, and don't be afraid to use the darker meat for extra flavor.
  • Chill your serving bowl in the fridge for ten minutes before assembling if you're serving it cold, it makes a bigger difference than you'd think.
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