This Avocado Chicken Salad is a lightened-up version of the classic chicken salad made without mayonnaise- eat on its own or with a croissant
This avocado chicken salad recipe is a healthier, lightened up version of a classic sandwich filling. This salad is made with no mayonnaise, but is still creamy and full of flavor. Serve this in a croissant for a tasty light lunch full of goodness.
Ingredients & substitutions
- Avocado: This is the star ingredient in this recipe. Its plant-based buttery dreamy consistency makes it such an awesome substitute for mayonnaise.
- Greek yogurt: This adds a great creamy texture as well as a little extra protein. You can also use plain yogurt.
- Mustard: Dijon mustard adds a great tang to the chicken avocado salad. You can use wholegrain for a milder flavor.
- Lemon: Use both the zest and juice of a lemon for a great zingy and vibrant flavor.
- Chicken: Use cooked shredded chicken. This is a great recipe if you have leftover roasted chicken!
- Vegetables: Celery and green onions add a great texture and flavor.
- Cilantro: For a fresh herby flavor. You can use parsley if you don’t like the taste of cilantro.
How to make avocado chicken salad
- Chop the avocado and add to a bowl so it’s easier to mash; reserve some for topping.
- Mash the avocado until creamy.
- Add the yogurt, dijon mustard, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Whisk together until combined.
- Add the chicken, celery and green onions to the large bowl with the dressing.
- Stir to combine. Cover the mixture and store in the fridge for 4 hours or more to set.
Tips for making the salad
- Use a low-fat yogurt to cut down on calories and fat content. You won’t notice the difference especially since the avocados add a lot of good fat and creaminess already.
- Make the sauce in a blender. You can easily mash the avocado with the ingredients in a bowl. But for a more even consistency, try blending everything in a blender or mini food processor until smooth and creamy.
- Make sure your avocado is ripe. It should give a little when you squeeze it, but it shouldn’t be mushy. This will help to create a more smooth dressing for the salad.
- Let your chicken cool before mixing it with the other ingredients. If you’ve cooked chicken specifically for this recipe, shred it then let it cool for a 10 minutes before combining. That will help minimize immediate browning on the avocado from the heat.
Frequently asked questions
Keep any leftover salad in an airtight container in the fridge, and it will keep for up to two days. Do not leave the chicken out at room temperature or it will go bad. It’s also best if you assemble it in the croissant or bread right before eating
Try serving this chicken salad in a croissant; the flavors all work really well together. If you are gluten-free, you can serve it on gluten-free bread, and if you are following a low carb or keto diet you can use a low carb wrap or a large lettuce leaf. This salad also works well as a summer side dish.
Use cooked shredded chicken in this recipe. You can use thighs, breasts or a mix. It’s great to use up leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken, or you can quickly bake, poach or grill up a couple of breasts.
This is a modern take on the classic chicken sandwich, with fresh and light ingredients that leave your tummy happy. It’s easy and quick to make with a creamy consistency and filling ingredients – perfect for an easy weekday lunch!
More summer salads:
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Avocado Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 avocados chopped, divided
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
- 2 celery stalks diced
- 1 bunch green onions chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro chopped
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, mash half the avocados. Add the Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice and lemon zest. Whisk together until well combined (or blend in blender for smoother consistency).
- Add the chicken, celery, green onions, salt and pepper on top and stir to combine. Fold in the remaining chopped avocado.
- Serve with fresh cilantro on its own, as a dip, in a croissant or with whole grain bread.
