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Home ยป Recipes ยป Lunch ยป Salad + Dressing ยป Avocado Chicken Salad (No Mayo or Yogurt!)

May 11, 2017(updated March 22, 2024)

Avocado Chicken Salad (No Mayo or Yogurt!)

4.88 from 8 votes
By Dani Spies
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This post may contain affiliate links.

This easy Avocado Chicken Salad is a flavorful, healthy twist on the classic! Instead of mayo or yogurt, rich avocados add the perfect amount of creaminess to this salad! Whip his recipe up in 10 minutes for a meal packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

Avocado chicken salad served with tortilla chips and freshly cut veggies.

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This Avocado Chicken Salad is a delicious blend of Mexican flavors that is simple, fresh, and delicious! It can be ready quickly with a mix of shredded or chopped chicken breast, mashed avocado, fresh lime juice, crushed garlic, crisp radish, scallions, peppers, cilantro, and salt and pepper. It’s so creamy and dreamy that I guarantee you’ll never miss the mayonnaise or yogurt!

It reminds me of my famous guacamole recipe, but with added protein! Pile it on bread for a delicious sandwich, stuff it in a tortilla wrap, or scoop it into lettuce cups. It’s a naturally low-carb recipe rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats – so it is an excellent option for various dietary approaches.

If you love chicken salad recipes as much as my family does, don’t miss our other favorites, like classic rotisserie chicken salad, Asian chicken salad, or chicken salad with grapes and yogurt.

Everything to love about avocados!

We love to incorporate avocados into our meals any chance we get! Here’s why:

  • Avocados are rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids along with a host of vitamins and minerals.
  • The healthy fats boost satiety with slow stomach emptying, keeping you feeling full longer. Thus, you’ll be less likely to want to snack on less nutritious foods.
  • They’re rich in vitamin C, which helps support your immunity.
  • They add incredible flavor and creaminess to a variety of recipes and can be substituted for butter or oil and mayo or yogurt.
  • You can use them as a substitute for butter or oil in some of your favorite desserts, such as brownies, chocolate pie, and chocolate pudding!
Avocado chicken salad in a bowl with a serving spoon.

Ingredients needed

This chicken salad recipe has the best flavor and the creamy texture with the crisp peppers and radishes is just SO good! All of the ingredients needed are simple and nutrient-rich. Here’s everything you’ll need:

  • Avocado: Feel free to keep the avocado chunky or mash completely for creamy richness.
  • Lime juice: Adds a bright, fresh flavor. Lemon juice works great, too!
  • Garlic: Crushed garlic for enhanced flavor.
  • Chicken: You can use any leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken for convenience.
  • Radish: We love the extra crunch of diced radish adds, but feel free to leave them out or use celery instead.
  • Scallions: For a fresh, mild onion flavor and gorgeous color.
  • Peppers: Use jalapeño pepper for mild heat or bell pepper for more of a sweet flavor.
  • Cilantro: This herb complements all of the other ingredients so well, but if you’re not a fan simply omit it.
  • Salt and pepper: Brings out all of the deliciousness!
Shredded chicken, avocado, radishes, peppers and cilantro divided into small bowls.

How to make this recipe

This avocado chicken salad recipe is so quick and easy to make! It’s one of our favorite things to have for lunch. We often spoon it into lettuce cups or serve it with corn chips and fresh vegetables. Here’s how it all comes together:

  1. Prep avocado: Mash avocado in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy. 
Mashing an avocado with a fork in a large.
Use a fork to mash an avocado in a large bowl.
Mashing an avocado with a fork in a large.
Make it as smooth or chunky as you’d like.
  1. Add lime and garlic: Stir in the lime juice and garlic. Combine well.
  2. Mix all other ingredients: Add the chicken, radish, scallion, pepper, cilantro, salt and pepper. Stir until everything is combined and coated in the avocado mixture. 
  3. Serve: Enjoy with corn chips, crackers, fresh vegetables, or served as a sandwich.
Stirring together mashed avocado with chicken and other salad ingredients.
Stir together the mashed avocado with shredded chicken and the other salad ingredients.
Avocado chicken salad served with chips and veggies.
Serve with whatever you’d like, from chips to fresh veggies!

Helpful tips

  • Choosing an avocado: Pick an avocado that is ripe with dark green skin and when squeezed it will have just a little bit of give (soft, but not overly soft). When peeled, the flesh should be bright green with no brown spots and it should smell fresh.
  • Make ahead: Chicken avocado salad keeps well and is great for meal prep! We like to make it at the beginning of the week and use it for sandwiches over the next couple of days, or snack on it just as is!
  • Servings: This recipe is written to serve four. It’s really easy to double, though, if you’re serving a crowd.

Ways to customize

This avocado chicken salad is easy to customize if you want to change it up! Here are some options:

  • Vegetables: Add in or swap the veggies with whatever you have available. Diced cucumber, tomato, celery and/or sliced black olives are all great choices.
  • Beans: Mix in some drained and rinsed chickpeas or cannellini beans for extra fiber, protein and texture.
  • Cheese: Sprinkle in some crumbled feta cheese for a little extra dimension.
  • Herbs: Try replacing the cilantro with another herb like parsley, chives or fresh dill.

Storage recommendations

Store leftovers in a bowl covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container. It will keep fresh for about 2 days in the fridge. Give it a good stir before serving again.

Chicken salad mixed with avocado and veggies in a bowl near fresh cilantro and lime.

More healthy salad recipes

  • Healthy Greek Pasta Salad
  • Warm German Potato Salad
  • Italian Pasta Salad
  • Healthy Macaroni Salad 
  • Orzo Pasta Salad with Roasted Vegetables
  • Italian Potato Salad with Artichokes

WATCH MY AVOCADO CHICKEN SALAD RECIPE VIDEO

Thanks so much for reading! If you make this recipe, I would love for you to give it a ★ rating below. Be sure to follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook for more healthy food inspiration. Cheers!

Avocado chicken salad served with tortilla chips and freshly cut veggies.
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4.88 from 8 votes

Avocado Chicken Salad (No Mayo or Yogurt!)

This easy Avocado Chicken Salad is a flavorful, healthy twist on the classic! Instead of mayo or yogurt, rich avocados add the perfect amount of creaminess to this salad! Whip up this recipe in just about 10 minutes for a meal that's packed with protein and nutrition.
Course: DIET, LUNCH, salad + dressing
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free
Author: Dani Spies
Prep Time15 minutes mins
Total Time15 minutes mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 204kcal

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Ingredients

  • 1 large avocado
  • 2-3 tablespoons fresh lime juice the juice from 1 lime
  • 1 clove crushed garlic
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast (340 grams or 12 ounces)* chopped or shredded
  • 1/4 cup radish, diced
  • 1/4 cup scallions, thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons diced jalapeno or bell pepper, remove ribs and seeds
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Mash avocado in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
    Mashing an avocado with a fork in a large.
  • Stir in the lime juice and garlic. Combine well.
  • Add the chicken, radish, scallion, pepper, cilantro, salt and pepper. Stir until everything is combined and coated in the avocado mixture.
    Stirring together mashed avocado with chicken and other salad ingredients.
  • Serve with corn chips, crackers or fresh vegetables. Enjoy.
    Avocado chicken salad in a bowl with a large serving spoon.

Notes

I usually use a store-bought rotisserie chicken for ease and convenience.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.66cup | Calories: 204kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 60mg | Potassium: 488mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 249IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 1mg

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Gluten Free, Low Carb + Keto, Recipes, Salad + Dressing, Video

About Dani Spies

Dani Spies is the founder and host of Clean & Delicious; a weekly cooking show on YouTube and a healthy eating blog that celebrates real, whole foods! She takes a holistic approach to health and wellness and is loved for her approachable, down to earth style both in and out of the kitchen.

Learn MoreWork With Me

Reader Interactions

Yum! I love this recipe.

    4.88 from 8 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    If you loved this recipe please leave a comment and star rating below. Questions are also welcome. Cheers!

    Recipe Rating




    Comments

  1. Patricia says

    June 8, 2017 at 4:49 pm

    5 stars
    Hi Dani: I took a cooking class a few days ago on poultry so I have every piece of the chicken to work with including the broth. When I saw your demo on avocado chicken salad I could hardly wait to make it! The chicken is in the oven and I have everything prepped and ready to put it all together including the corn chips!!! I can hardly wait to eat. I think you should put out re-runs because I forgot all the old reliable recipes I used to make and need to re-visit. All your ideas are such good cleaning eating. I like them a lot.

    Reply
    • Patricia says

      June 10, 2017 at 10:39 am

      5 stars
      Update: the avocado chicken salad was even better than I thought it would be. The next Dani trick is avocado hummus for lunch with veggies (and maybe bs few corn chips). โœŒ

      Reply
  2. Lana says

    May 15, 2020 at 11:12 am

    5 stars
    Loved the recipe! Thank you

    Reply
    • Dani says

      May 15, 2020 at 1:03 pm

      So glad to hear it!! Thanks for the taking the time to share.

      Reply
  3. Mel says

    March 22, 2024 at 2:47 pm

    5 stars
    I’m so grateful this recipe popped up on my Instagram feed today. I rarely eat meat, but something drew me to making this as soon as I possibly could. Outstanding recipe and so good!

    Reply
  4. Claudette says

    March 22, 2024 at 3:34 pm

    5 stars
    Dani, thank you for your recipes and you videos. I Love your recipes and can’t wait to try this one. Keep them coming!

    Claudette

    Reply
    • Dani Spies says

      March 23, 2024 at 7:37 pm

      It’s my pleasure! I’m so glad you are enjoying the recipes.

      Reply
  5. Janelle says

    April 22, 2024 at 8:33 pm

    5 stars
    This chicken salad is DELICIOUS! I didn’t have any limes, so I used lemon juice instead. Tasted great. Next time, I will make with limes because it’s probably even better.

    Reply
    • Dani Spies says

      April 24, 2024 at 7:44 pm

      Thanks for letting me know that you enjoyed it, Janelle! And glad to know it worked with lemons in place of limes when needed.

      Reply

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