If you’re looking for a fresh, satisfying meal that’s quick to prepare, this Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad is the perfect choice. Made with tender shredded chicken, ripe avocados, crisp celery, fresh cilantro, and a creamy lime dressing, this easy chicken salad is packed with flavor and wholesome ingredients. Whether you’re making lunch, meal prepping for the week, or serving a light dinner, this recipe comes together in just minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ready in just 15 minutes.
- Creamy without being overly heavy.
- Packed with protein and healthy fats.
- Perfect for meal prep and quick lunches.
- Naturally low in carbohydrates and gluten-free.
- Great for sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, or crackers.
- Easily customizable with your favorite add-ins.
Ingredients
- 2 ripe medium avocados
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise, or ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt plus ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 large celery stalk, finely chopped
- ½ medium white onion or red onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus more as needed
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1 pound cooked shredded chicken (preferably rotisserie)
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Tortilla chips, crackers, toasted bread, or lettuce leaves for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cut one avocado in half, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into a large mixing bowl.
- Add the mayonnaise (or mayonnaise and Greek yogurt mixture), chopped celery, chopped onion, cilantro, lime juice, and kosher salt.
- Mash the avocado until mostly smooth and stir everything together to create a creamy dressing.
- Add the shredded cooked chicken and gently mix until evenly coated.
- Dice the remaining avocado into bite-sized cubes and carefully fold it into the salad to maintain its texture.
- Taste and adjust with additional salt, freshly ground black pepper, or extra lime juice if desired.
- Serve the Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad immediately or chill for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
- Enjoy it with crackers, tortilla chips, toasted bread, croissants, wraps, lettuce cups, or over a bed of mixed greens.
Tips & Tricks
- Use rotisserie chicken for the quickest preparation.
- Choose ripe but firm avocados for the best texture.
- Fresh lime juice helps keep the avocado vibrant and flavorful.
- Greek yogurt creates a lighter dressing while maintaining creaminess.
- Add diced jalapeños for a little heat.
- Mix gently after adding the avocado chunks to keep them intact.
Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Difficulty: Easy
- Dietary Notes: Gluten-Free, Low-Carb, High-Protein
Notes
- Substitute parsley if you don’t enjoy cilantro.
- Add diced cucumber, corn, bacon-style turkey strips, or cherry tomatoes for extra flavor and texture.
- Chopped pecans or sliced almonds add a delicious crunch.
- Serve inside pita bread, wraps, croissants, or lettuce wraps.
- This salad also makes a delicious sandwich filling.
Nutrition (Approximate Per Serving)
- Calories: 430
- Protein: 28g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fat: 33g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 390mg
FAQ
Can I make Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad ahead of time?
Yes. It’s best enjoyed within 24 hours, as avocado naturally begins to brown over time. The lime juice helps slow oxidation.
Can I use canned chicken?
Yes. While freshly cooked or rotisserie chicken provides the best flavor and texture, canned chicken works well for a quick meal.
How do I keep the avocado from turning brown?
Fresh lime juice helps preserve the avocado’s bright green color. Store the salad in an airtight container with plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface.
Can I substitute Greek yogurt for mayonnaise?
Absolutely. You can replace all or part of the mayonnaise with plain Greek yogurt for a lighter version.
Is this recipe keto-friendly?
Yes. When served without crackers or bread, this avocado chicken salad is naturally low in carbohydrates and suitable for many keto lifestyles.
Storage
Store leftover Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For best results, press plastic wrap directly onto the surface before sealing the container to reduce air exposure. Freezing is not recommended, as avocado and mayonnaise do not maintain their texture after thawing.
Similar Recipes
Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 ripe medium avocados
- ⅔ cup mayonnaise or ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt plus ⅓ cup mayonnaise
- 1 large celery stalk finely chopped
- ½ medium white onion or red onion finely chopped
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice plus more as needed
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt plus more to taste
- 1 pound cooked shredded chicken preferably rotisserie
- Freshly ground black pepper
- Tortilla chips crackers, toasted bread, or lettuce leaves for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cut one avocado in half, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into a large mixing bowl.
- Add the mayonnaise (or mayonnaise and Greek yogurt mixture), chopped celery, chopped onion, cilantro, lime juice, and kosher salt.
- Mash the avocado until mostly smooth and stir everything together to create a creamy dressing.
- Add the shredded cooked chicken and gently mix until evenly coated.
- Dice the remaining avocado into bite-sized cubes and carefully fold it into the salad to maintain its texture.
- Taste and adjust with additional salt, freshly ground black pepper, or extra lime juice if desired.
- Serve the Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad immediately or chill for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
- Enjoy it with crackers, tortilla chips, toasted bread, croissants, wraps, lettuce cups, or over a bed of mixed greens
Notes
- Substitute parsley if you don’t enjoy cilantro.
- Add diced cucumber, corn, bacon-style turkey strips, or cherry tomatoes for extra flavor and texture.
- Chopped pecans or sliced almonds add a delicious crunch.
- Serve inside pita bread, wraps, croissants, or lettuce wraps.
- This salad also makes a delicious sandwich filling.
Conclusion
This Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad is a fresh, flavorful twist on a classic favorite. Tender shredded chicken combines with creamy avocado, crisp celery, fresh cilantro, and zesty lime for a satisfying meal that’s both nourishing and incredibly easy to prepare. Whether served as a sandwich, wrap, salad, or dip, this protein-packed recipe is perfect for busy weekdays, meal prep, picnics, or light family dinners. Once you try this creamy avocado chicken salad, it’s sure to become one of your go-to healthy lunch recipes.