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.
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!
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!
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:
- Prep avocado: Mash avocado in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Add lime and garlic: Stir in the lime juice and garlic. Combine well.
- 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.
- Serve: Enjoy with corn chips, crackers, fresh vegetables, or served as a sandwich.
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.
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 (No Mayo or Yogurt!)
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.
- 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.
- Serve with corn chips, crackers or fresh vegetables. Enjoy.
