Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad

Featured in Fresh Easy Salads for Any Meal.

This creamy avocado chicken salad swaps mayo for avocado. With tender chicken, sweet corn, zesty lime, and fresh herbs, it's filling, flavorful, and easy to customize. Add extras like black beans or tomatoes for variation, making it perfect for quick meals, wraps, or a light dinner.
Emily Watson
Updated on Mon, 10 Mar 2025 03:24:53 GMT
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Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad | thefamilycooks.com

A fresh take on chicken salad that replaces mayo with creamy avocado for a nutritious, flavor-packed meal. The combination creates a silky texture while keeping the dish light and wholesome.

This recipe emerged from kitchen experiments to create a healthier chicken salad that maintains satisfying richness without heavy ingredients.

Key Ingredients

  • Cooked chicken: Use tender breast meat, cooled completely
  • Ripe avocados: Choose ones with gentle give when pressed
  • Fresh citrus: Lime juice prevents browning
  • Diced onion: For sharp flavor contrast
  • Garden herbs: Parsley and cilantro add freshness
  • Quality oil: Extra virgin olive oil recommended
  • Sweet corn: For texture and natural sweetness

Preparation Method

Prepare Chicken:
Shred cooled chicken into even pieces, season with salt and pepper.
Handle Avocados:
Mash one avocado smooth, dice the other, combine with lime juice immediately.
Prep Vegetables:
Finely dice onion, drain corn well, chop herbs fresh.
Mix Dressing:
Combine olive oil with citrus, add seasonings gradually.
Complete Dish:
Combine ingredients with gentle folding, adjust flavors, rest before serving.
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Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad | thefamilycooks.com

Storage Guidelines

Store properly by pressing plastic wrap directly onto the surface and adding extra citrus juice. For best results, prepare components separately and combine just before serving.

Texture Techniques

Achieve ideal consistency by mashing half the avocado while dicing the remainder. This method creates the perfect balance of smooth and chunky textures.

Advance Preparation

Prepare ingredients separately ahead of time. Cook and shred chicken, chop vegetables, and mix dressing. Combine with fresh avocado just before serving.

Serving Options

Enjoy as a sandwich filling, over fresh greens, in lettuce cups, or stuffed in tomatoes. Perfect for picnics and light meals.

Health Benefits

Offers balanced nutrition through lean protein, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates. Fresh herbs add beneficial antioxidants.

Seasonal Variations

Adapt to seasons by adding summer vegetables or roasted root vegetables in winter. The base recipe welcomes creative additions.

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Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad | thefamilycooks.com

This updated chicken salad demonstrates how simple, wholesome ingredients create satisfying meals. Perfect for any occasion, it delivers fresh flavors and nourishing ingredients in every bite.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How long does this keep fresh?
To keep the avocado from browning too much, it's best if eaten within a day—citrus juice helps slow this down.
→ Can I use canned chicken for this?
You can, but for the tastiest results, freshly cooked or rotisserie chicken works best.
→ What stops the avocados from turning brown?
The lime or lemon juice should help, but for the freshest look and flavor, serve right away.
→ Can I prep this ahead of time?
You can prep everything else earlier, but mix in the avocado just when you're ready to eat.
→ What should I serve it with?
Use it to fill a sandwich, pair with some crackers, or pile it on top of a bed of greens.

Avocado Salad with Chicken

Enjoy a vibrant chicken salad full of creamy avocado, crunchy corn, and herby freshness—no mayo in sight.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
5 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes

Category: Salads

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 2 medium chicken breasts, cooked and either shredded or chopped
02 2 avocados, ripe, pitted, and diced
03 Half a cup of corn—use roasted, canned, or frozen

→ Fresh Add-ons

04 Quarter of a cup of finely chopped green or red onion
05 2 tablespoons of minced fresh cilantro

→ Sauce or Dressing

06 2 tablespoons lime or lemon juice, freshly squeezed
07 2 tablespoons of olive oil
08 Salt and black pepper—add as much or as little as you like

Instructions

Step 01

Grab a big bowl and toss in the shredded chicken, avocado cubes, onion, corn, and chopped cilantro.

Step 02

Pour in the lime or lemon juice and olive oil, then sprinkle on some salt and pepper.

Step 03

Carefully mix everything together until it’s evenly coated, making sure the avocado doesn’t get squished.

Notes

  1. Rotisserie chicken is a quick swap for cooked chicken breasts.
  2. Don’t have cilantro? Use parsley or dill instead.
  3. You can add extras like diced tomatoes, cucumbers, crispy bacon, or black beans.
  4. Avocado gives it the creaminess, so you won’t need mayo.

Tools You'll Need

  • A large bowl for mixing

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 259
  • Total Fat: 17 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 9 g
  • Protein: 20 g