Avocado Chicken Salad
A creamy avocado chicken salad is one of the quickest healthy meals you can make, and this version combines ripe avocado with a small amount of mayo for the perfect balance of richness and clean flavor.
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A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Avocado Chicken Salad
🕒 Ready In: ~10 minutes
👪 Serves: 4
🍽 Calories: ~310 calories per serving (estimated)
🥣 Main Ingredients: Shredded chicken, avocado, mayonnaise, grapes, cilantro
📖 Dietary Info: Naturally gluten-free; dairy-free option
👌 Difficulty: Easy - simple mix-and-mash, no cooking required
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This recipe is built around real ingredients, ripe avocados, cooked chicken, fresh lime, cilantro, and grapes, so you get a healthy chicken salad that's high in protein, full of good fats, and naturally gluten-free. The flavors are bright and refreshing, the texture is perfectly creamy, and the ingredients stay simple and clean.
Serve it inside lettuce cups, spoon it onto cucumbers, or pair it with sides like our Cauliflower Mac and Cheese or Sweet Potato Chips. For something heartier, try it with Gluten-Free Sourdough Bread or alongside easy mains like White Bean Kale Soup . It's a simple, refreshing meal that stays satisfying without weighing you down.
Jump to:
- A Quick Look at the Recipe
- Why You'll Love This Avocado Chicken Salad:
- Key Ingredients:
- Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- How to Make Avocado Chicken Salad:
- Recipe Notes & Tips:
- How to Store:
- Avocado Chicken Salad FAQs:
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- Avocado Chicken Salad
Why You'll Love This Avocado Chicken Salad:
Creamy and fresh: Avocados and mayo make a rich, smooth base without needing dairy.
Sweet and savory balance: Juicy grapes add a pop of sweetness that pairs beautifully with the savory chicken and herbs.
Quick and easy: Just a few ingredients and 10 minutes of prep make this perfect for busy days.
Naturally gluten-free and low carb: Great for lettuce wraps, stuffed in peppers, or enjoyed on its own.
Meal prep-friendly: Holds up well in the fridge and tastes even better after the flavors meld.
Key Ingredients:
- shredded chicken. Use rotisserie chicken, leftover baked chicken, or poached chicken breasts. Just make sure it's well shredded for even mixing.
- mayonnaise. Adds creaminess, use healthy homemade mayonnaise or substitute with Greek yogurt for a tangier, lighter version.
- avocados. Choose ripe avocados that give slightly when gently pressed. They should mash easily and create a smooth base.
- fresh cilantro. Freshly chopped cilantro adds a pop of herbiness, but you can swap with parsley if preferred.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Easy Substitutions & Variations:
- Use Greek Yogurt Instead of Mayo: Swap part or all of the mayonnaise for plain Greek yogurt to lighten up the dressing and add extra protein.
- Swap the Grapes: If you prefer a more savory avocado chicken salad, replace the grapes with chopped celery, diced cucumber, or finely sliced green onions.
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken works perfectly here but use any cooked chicken (baked, poached, grilled).
- Make It Dairy-Free: Make this dairy-free by using a dairy-free mayo or swap in mashed avocado-only for a completely clean and ultra-creamy version.
- Low-Carb Serving Options: Serve your chicken salad on lettuce wraps, cucumber slices, or stuffed into bell peppers for a low-carb and refreshing meal.
How to Make Avocado Chicken Salad:
- Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the avocados, mayonnaise, and lime juice. Mash until mostly smooth, leaving a bit of texture if desired.
- Step 2: Stir in the shredded chicken, halved grapes, chopped cilantro and stir gently to combine. Add more lime juice, salt, or pepper to taste, if needed.
Recipe Notes & Tips:
- Keep avocado from browning: Lime juice helps slow browning, but storing the salad with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface can also help.
- Make it your own: Add chopped red onion, celery, or sliced almonds for extra crunch and flavor.
- Serve it how you like it: Great in lettuce wraps, stuffed into pita, on a sandwich, or even scooped with tortilla chips.
- Mash to your preference: For a chunkier texture, mash the avocado less and stir gently when adding other ingredients.
- Add a little heat: For a spicy twist, mix in diced jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce.
- Use lime zest for extra flavor: For a more citrusy punch, add ½ teaspoon lime zest along with the juice.
How to Store:
Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days. To minimize browning, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface before sealing the lid.
Stir before serving: The avocado may darken slightly, but a quick stir will restore the creamy texture and fresh appearance.
Freezing not recommended: The avocado and mayo base won't thaw well, so this recipe is best enjoyed fresh or refrigerated short term.
Avocado Chicken Salad FAQs:
To keep avocado chicken salad from turning brown, mix the avocado with lime juice or lemon juice before adding the chicken. The acidity slows oxidation and keeps the salad green and fresh. Store it in an airtight container with a piece of plastic wrap pressed directly against the surface to minimize air exposure.
Yes, you can use canned chicken to make chicken salad, including avocado chicken salad. Drain it well, shred it with a fork, and mix it directly into the avocado-mayo base. While fresh or rotisserie chicken gives the best texture, canned chicken is a fast, convenient option that still delivers good flavor when seasoned properly.
Yes, avocado chicken salad is considered a healthy chicken salad because it's made from whole, nutrient-dense ingredients. Avocado provides heart-healthy fats and fiber, chicken adds lean protein, and the lime juice and cilantro keep the flavors bright without needing a heavy dressing.
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Avocado Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 ripe avocados
- 1 lime, juiced
- ½ cup grapes halved
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the avocados, mayonnaise, and lime juice. Mash until mostly smooth, leaving a bit of texture if desired.
- Stir in the shredded chicken and halved grapes, mixing until well coated.
- Add the chopped cilantro and stir gently to combine. Add more lime juice, salt, or pepper to taste, if needed.
- Enjoy right away, or chill for 15-30 minutes. Serve in lettuce wraps, on toast, with crackers, or over a salad.
Nutrition
Notes
-
- Use freshly cooked or leftover chicken: Rotisserie chicken works great, but you can also poach or bake chicken breasts and shred them once cooled.
- Keep avocado from browning: Lime juice helps slow browning, but storing the salad with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface can also help.
- Make it your own: Add chopped red onion, celery, or sliced almonds for extra crunch and flavor.
- Serve it how you like it: Great in lettuce wraps, stuffed into pita, on a sandwich, or even scooped with tortilla chips.
- Mash to your preference: For a chunkier texture, mash the avocado less and stir gently when adding other ingredients.
- Add a little heat: For a spicy twist, mix in diced jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce.
- Use lime zest for extra flavor: For a more citrusy punch, add ½ teaspoon lime zest along with the juice.
I make this all the time for lunch, even my kids love it!