Avocado Chicken Salad (Printable)
Grilled chicken with fresh avocado, vegetables, and tangy lime dressing
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Salad Base
05 - 2 ripe avocados, diced
06 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
07 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
08 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped
09 - 1/2 English cucumber, diced
10 - 2 cups mixed salad greens
→ Dressing
11 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
12 - Juice of 1 large lime (about 2 tablespoons)
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1 clove garlic, minced
15 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
16 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
# How-To:
01 - Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and black pepper, ensuring even coverage.
02 - Grill or sear chicken for 6–7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Internal temperature should reach 165°F. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice or dice.
03 - In a large bowl, combine diced avocados, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, chopped cilantro or parsley, diced cucumber, and mixed salad greens.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, lime juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper until fully emulsified and smooth.
05 - Add sliced chicken to the salad bowl. Drizzle dressing over the top and gently toss to combine, taking care not to mash the avocados. Serve immediately, garnished with additional herbs if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Its the kind of lunch that leaves you feeling energized instead of weighed down, especially on those days when heavy food just sounds wrong.
- The contrast between warm spiced chicken and crisp cool vegetables makes every bite interesting, never boring.
02 -
- Do not skip the resting time for the chicken, otherwise you will end up with dry meat and a puddle on your plate.
- Wait until the very last second to add the dressing if you are meal prepping, otherwise the greens will get sad and wilted.
03 -
- Marinate the chicken in some of the lime juice and garlic for 30 minutes before cooking for deeper flavor.
- Use a sharp knife to dice the avocados so they hold their shape in the salad instead of getting mashed.