Avocado Chicken Salad {Healthy Lunch Recipe}

Name: Avocado Chicken Salad
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 avocados (chopped, divided); ⅓ cup greek yogurt; 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard; 1 garlic clove (minced, optional); 1 lemon (juiced and zested); 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded ); 2 celery stalks (diced); 1 bunch green onions (chopped); ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro (chopped)

Avocado Chicken Salad

Yumna Jawad
March 24, 2021

5 from 96 votes

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

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, 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.

6 image collage to show how to make the recipe

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

How long does the salad keep?

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

What can you serve with avocado chicken salad?

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.

What’s the best chicken to use?

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.

Avocado chicken salad served in a croissant for an easy lunch sandwiche

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:

If you’ve tried this healthy-ish feel good Avocado Chicken Salad recipe or any other recipe on FeelGoodFoodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories!

5 from 96 votes (83 ratings without comment)

Rate and comment Cancel reply