Avocado Chicken Salad (Print Version)
Grilled chicken meets creamy avocado and crisp vegetables in a tangy lime dressing for a satisfying healthy meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
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 Cook:
01 - Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
02 - Grill or sear chicken for 6–7 minutes per side, until cooked through and juices run clear. Set aside to rest for 5 minutes, then slice or dice.
03 - In a large bowl, combine avocados, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro (or parsley), cucumber, and salad greens.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, lime juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and black pepper until emulsified.
05 - Add sliced chicken to the salad. Drizzle dressing over the top and gently toss to combine, ensuring avocados stay mostly intact.
06 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra herbs if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The creamy avocado against the bright lime dressing is the kind of fresh that makes you feel alive
- Everything comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant patio
02 -
- Adding the dressing too early will turn your crisp vegetables into a soggy mess, so wait until youre ready to serve
- Letting the chicken rest after cooking is the difference between juicy meat and something that tastes like cardboard
03 -
- Marinate your chicken in lime juice for 30 minutes before cooking for extra depth
- If your avocados are perfectly ripe but youre not ready to eat, store them in the refrigerator to slow down the process