Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad – High-Protein, Low-Carb Favorite

Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad is a creamy, zesty, protein-packed dish that somehow manages to check all the boxes: fast, fresh, filling, and just downright satisfying. It’s the kind of salad that makes you forget you’re eating healthy—because it’s that good. The creamy avocado acts as both the dressing and the highlight, mingling with lean chicken and crunchy veggies to create a texture party in every bite.

Whether you’re wrangling kids between Zoom calls or just looking to throw something nourishing together without turning your kitchen into a disaster zone, this is the salad you’ll keep coming back to. Oh—and it’s perfect for meal prep, so your future self will thank you tomorrow.

Table of Contents

What is Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad?

Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad is like your regular chicken salad’s cooler, more wholesome cousin. It skips the mayo overload and instead uses creamy avocado and (optionally) Greek yogurt to bind everything together. It typically features chunks of cooked chicken breast, ripe avocados, cherry tomatoes, red onion, celery, bell pepper, lime juice, and fresh cilantro for a little zing.

Think of it as a mashup between guacamole and chicken salad, but without the guilt trip. This salad is high in protein, full of healthy fats, and naturally gluten-free. Whether you’re stuffing it into lettuce wraps, piling it on toast, or eating it straight out of the bowl, it’s the kind of dish that keeps your tastebuds and your body happy.

Reasons to Try Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad

If you’re juggling work, kids, or just don’t feel like cooking a five-course meal on a Tuesday night, this Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad is your hero in a bowl. First off, it comes together in about 30 minutes—start to finish. Second, it’s super customizable. Got leftover rotisserie chicken? Use that. Hate cilantro? Skip it. Want more heat? Add jalapeños.

The mix of creamy avocado, fresh lime juice, and crunchy veggies makes it feel indulgent without wrecking your diet. And let’s be real—who doesn’t love a good meal prep recipe that doesn’t taste like cardboard on day three? It’s low-carb, high-protein, and makes a solid meal for lunch, dinner, or even a post-workout snack. Plus, it’s a nice break from your usual sandwich or microwave burrito routine.

Ingredients Needed to Make Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad

• 2 large ripe avocados
• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced (about 2 medium breasts)
• ½ to 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
• ¼ cup celery, finely diced
• ¼ cup red bell pepper, diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• Optional: ¼ cup Greek yogurt for extra creaminess

Instructions to Make Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad

Making Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad is not just quick—it’s actually a little bit fun, too. Here’s a clear and engaging step-by-step guide that takes you through everything, from prepping the chicken to that final, satisfying taste test. Whether you’re cooking for one or meal prepping for the week, this step-by-step method will keep things simple and stress-free.

Step 1: Cook and Cool the Chicken

If you’re starting with uncooked chicken, you’ll want to season two medium chicken breasts with a light sprinkle of salt and pepper. You can either grill them for a smoky, charred flavor or bake them at 375°F for about 20–25 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Want to save time? This is a great opportunity to use leftover rotisserie chicken or check out our Easy Air Fryer Chicken Bites for a quicker prep method.

Once cooked, let the chicken cool down slightly before dicing it into small, bite-sized pieces. This helps prevent your avocado base from getting too warm and mushy.

Step 2: Mash the Avocados

Grab two ripe avocados and cut them in half lengthwise. Remove the pits and scoop the flesh into a large mixing bowl. Using a fork, mash the avocado to your desired texture. If you’re a fan of creamy, go for a smoother mash. Prefer a chunkier vibe? Leave some texture behind—it adds great body to the salad.

If you’re not sure how to tell if an avocado is perfectly ripe, we’ve got a quick tip: look for ones that yield slightly to gentle pressure and have dark, bumpy skin. You can read more in our ingredient prep tips here, where we break down smart shortcuts for fresh ingredients.

Step 3: Add the Chopped Veggies

Time to bring in the crunch! Add in:

• ½ to 1 cup halved cherry or grape tomatoes (depending on how tomato-forward you like it)
• ¼ cup finely diced red onion
• ¼ cup finely diced celery
• ¼ cup diced red bell pepper

These veggies not only add color and texture, but they also provide a refreshing contrast to the creamy avocado. You can swap bell pepper for diced cucumber if that’s what you have on hand. We dive into more veggie swap ideas in our Ground Turkey & Zucchini Skillet article, which includes other family-friendly substitutions.

Step 4: Season and Add Flavor

Now that your base is built, it’s time to add some serious flavor. Toss in:

• 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice (this helps brighten the dish and keep the avocado from browning)
• 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro
• ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste

Mix everything gently. The key here is folding, not stirring, so the salad holds its chunky goodness. Want to spice it up a bit? Add a dash of chili flakes or even a squeeze of sriracha for a little heat.

Step 5: Add Optional Greek Yogurt for Extra Creaminess

This is totally optional but highly recommended if you’re into creamy textures and a little extra protein. Add ¼ cup of plain Greek yogurt and gently fold it into the mix. It makes the salad even silkier and helps bind the ingredients like a healthy, tangy mayo alternative.

For more ideas on adding protein to salads without going overboard on calories, you might like our High Protein Crispy Garlic Chicken Fried Rice—it’s another quick fix packed with flavor and balance.

Step 6: Taste and Adjust

Here comes the fun part: taste-testing. Adjust the seasoning if needed. Maybe a bit more lime juice for zing or an extra pinch of salt to bring out the flavors. This salad is forgiving and flexible, so don’t be shy about tweaking it to match your mood (or the contents of your fridge).

Step 7: Chill or Serve Immediately

You can serve your Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad right away if you’re too hungry to wait (we get it), but if you have time, pop it in the fridge for about 30 minutes. This allows all the flavors to settle and marry together, making each bite even more flavorful.

It’s perfect on its own, but you can also serve it on whole-grain toast, in lettuce wraps, or tucked into a tortilla. For even more serving inspiration, take a peek at our Loaded Potato Taco Bowl—another crave-worthy, quick-prep idea.

What to Serve with Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad

This dish plays well with just about anything. Scoop it into lettuce cups for a low-carb wrap situation. Pile it on whole grain toast for a grown-up open-faced sandwich. Or stuff it in a tortilla if you’re feeling taco vibes. You could even serve it alongside tortilla chips for a deconstructed nacho moment. Want something warm to go with it? Try pairing it with a bowl of Italian Sausage and White Bean Soup or a side of Garlic Butter Beef Bites. And if you’re heading to a potluck, this salad holds its own on a spread with dips, crackers, or even deviled eggs.

Key Tips for Making Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad

Want this salad to taste like it came from a cozy bistro rather than your fridge? First tip: use ripe avocados. If they’re too firm, it’ll be hard to mash and won’t blend into the chicken. Too mushy? You’ll have guac, not salad. Second: fresh lime juice is non-negotiable. That citrus kick balances the richness of the avocado and keeps it from turning brown too fast.

Third: go easy when folding the ingredients. It’s a salad, not a wrestling match—keep the texture intact. If you’re meal prepping, hold off on adding the avocado until just before serving for max freshness. And if you’re feeling bold, try a dash of smoked paprika or a tiny squeeze of Sriracha for an unexpected flavor twist.

Storage and Reheating Tips for Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad

Let’s be honest: this salad is best fresh. But if you’re prepping ahead, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. The lime juice helps keep the avocado from browning too quickly, but tossing a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface can help even more. If you added Greek yogurt, it’ll hold up slightly better in texture.

No need to reheat—it’s a cold dish—but if you’re turning it into a wrap or sandwich, you can warm the bread or tortilla to contrast with the chilled salad. Pro tip: don’t freeze it. Avocados and freezers are not friends. For a change, make half a batch today and switch to something like Caprese Pasta Salad later in the week to keep things fresh.

FAQs

Can I use canned chicken?
Yes, totally. Just drain it well and shred it before mixing. It won’t have the same texture as fresh grilled chicken but works in a pinch.

What can I use instead of Greek yogurt?
You can skip it altogether or sub with sour cream or a dairy-free yogurt if needed.

Is this keto-friendly?
It absolutely is. Just make sure you’re not serving it with bread or chips.

Can I make it vegan?
You could swap the chicken with chickpeas or tofu, but the texture will change. It’ll still be tasty, though!

Final Thoughts

Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad is the kind of recipe that fits into your real life—busy schedules, picky eaters, and all. It’s simple, satisfying, and flexible enough to make it your own. Whether you’re working from home or packing lunch for the whole crew, this is one of those no-fuss meals that makes eating healthy feel doable (and dare we say, exciting). Want to keep this health train rolling? Check out our Cheesy Quinoa and Black Bean Taco Skillet for another clean, hearty weeknight favorite.

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