Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad: A Healthy and Delicious Recipe

Chicken salad is a classic dish, but sometimes it can be a little heavy on the mayonnaise. This creamy avocado chicken salad is a healthier and equally delicious alternative! It’s packed with flavor, healthy fats, and protein, making it perfect for lunch, a light dinner, or a potluck dish. The avocado replaces much of the mayonnaise, creating a creamy, flavorful dressing that’s both satisfying and guilt-free. This recipe offers a fantastic balance of taste and nutrition, providing a complete and fulfilling meal.

## Why You’ll Love This Avocado Chicken Salad

* **Healthy and Nutritious:** Avocado is a great source of healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins. This salad is also packed with protein from the chicken.
* **Creamy and Delicious:** The avocado creates a naturally creamy and rich dressing without the need for excessive mayonnaise.
* **Easy to Make:** This recipe requires minimal cooking and comes together quickly.
* **Versatile:** Serve it on bread, crackers, lettuce wraps, or even just eat it with a fork! You can also customize it with your favorite add-ins.
* **Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Options:** Naturally gluten-free, and easily dairy-free by ensuring your chicken broth (if using) is dairy-free.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Cooked Chicken:** About 2-3 cups, shredded or diced. You can use leftover rotisserie chicken, poached chicken, or grilled chicken. Rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut for busy days. Poaching the chicken yields a tender and juicy result. Grilled chicken adds a smoky flavor that complements the avocado well.
* **Avocado:** 2 ripe avocados. Make sure they are soft but not mushy. Ripe avocados are the key to a creamy and flavorful dressing. Gently press the avocado; it should yield to gentle pressure.
* **Red Onion:** ¼ cup, finely diced. Red onion adds a sharp, slightly sweet flavor. You can substitute with shallots or green onions for a milder taste.
* **Celery:** ¼ cup, finely diced. Celery provides a refreshing crunch and subtle flavor.
* **Fresh Lime Juice:** 2 tablespoons. Lime juice adds acidity and brightens up the flavors. Lemon juice can be used as a substitute.
* **Fresh Cilantro:** 2 tablespoons, chopped. Cilantro adds a fresh, herbaceous note. If you don’t like cilantro, you can use parsley or dill.
* **Dijon Mustard:** 1 teaspoon. Dijon mustard adds a tangy depth of flavor. You can also use whole grain mustard.
* **Garlic Powder:** ¼ teaspoon. Garlic powder adds a subtle garlic flavor. You can also use fresh minced garlic (about ½ clove).
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste. Season generously to enhance the flavors.
* **Optional Add-Ins:** Grape tomatoes (halved), cooked bacon (crumbled), chopped pecans or walnuts, corn, jalapenos (finely diced).

## Equipment

* Large Bowl
* Fork or Potato Masher
* Knife
* Cutting Board

## Step-by-Step Instructions

**1. Prepare the Chicken:**

* If you’re using rotisserie chicken, remove the skin and shred the meat. If you’re cooking your own chicken, you can poach it, grill it, or bake it. To poach, place chicken breasts in a pot and cover with water or chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook until the chicken is cooked through (about 15-20 minutes). Let cool slightly, then shred or dice.

**2. Prepare the Avocado Dressing:**

* In the large bowl, mash the avocados with a fork or potato masher until smooth. Leave a few small chunks if you prefer a chunkier texture. The consistency should be creamy but not completely liquid.
* Add the lime juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the mashed avocado. Mix well to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Don’t be afraid to add a little more lime juice or salt to brighten up the flavor.

**3. Combine Ingredients:**

* Add the shredded or diced chicken, red onion, celery, and cilantro to the bowl with the avocado dressing. Gently stir everything together until the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the avocado dressing mushy.

**4. Add Optional Ingredients (if using):**

* If you’re using any optional add-ins like grape tomatoes, bacon, or nuts, add them to the bowl and gently stir to combine. These additions can add texture and flavor complexity to the salad.

**5. Chill and Serve:**

* Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. This step is optional, but it’s recommended for the best flavor.
* Serve the avocado chicken salad on bread, crackers, lettuce wraps, or enjoy it straight from the bowl. You can also serve it as a topping for salads or as a filling for stuffed bell peppers.

## Tips for the Best Avocado Chicken Salad

* **Use Ripe Avocados:** The key to a creamy and flavorful avocado chicken salad is to use ripe avocados. They should be soft but not mushy.
* **Don’t Overmix:** Be careful not to overmix the salad, as this can make the avocado dressing mushy.
* **Adjust Seasonings:** Taste the salad and adjust the seasonings as needed. Don’t be afraid to add more lime juice, salt, or pepper to brighten up the flavor.
* **Add a Touch of Heat:** If you like a little heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a finely diced jalapeno to the salad.
* **Prevent Browning:** To prevent the avocado from browning, add a little extra lime juice or lemon juice to the salad. You can also store the salad in an airtight container with a piece of plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface of the salad.
* **Make Ahead:** This salad can be made ahead of time, but it’s best to add the avocado just before serving to prevent browning. You can prepare the other ingredients ahead of time and store them separately.
* **Use Good Quality Chicken:** The quality of the chicken will affect the taste of the salad. Use good quality chicken that is cooked properly and not dry.
* **Add a Crunch:** Add some crunch to the salad by adding chopped nuts, celery, or water chestnuts.

## Variations and Add-ins

This avocado chicken salad is a versatile recipe that can be customized to your liking. Here are some ideas for variations and add-ins:

* **Spicy Avocado Chicken Salad:** Add a pinch of red pepper flakes, a finely diced jalapeno, or a dash of hot sauce to the salad.
* **Mediterranean Avocado Chicken Salad:** Add chopped cucumbers, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, and a drizzle of olive oil to the salad.
* **Curry Avocado Chicken Salad:** Add a teaspoon of curry powder and a pinch of turmeric to the salad. You can also add chopped mango or raisins.
* **Bacon Avocado Chicken Salad:** Add cooked and crumbled bacon to the salad.
* **Grape Avocado Chicken Salad:** Halve some red grapes and add them to the salad for a burst of sweetness.
* **Pineapple Avocado Chicken Salad:** Add diced pineapple to the salad for a tropical twist.
* **Hard-Boiled Egg:** Add chopped hard-boiled eggs for added protein and creaminess.
* **Sun-Dried Tomatoes:** Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes for a burst of intense flavor.
* **Bell Peppers:** Add diced bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange) for color and crunch.
* **Pickles:** Add diced pickles (dill or sweet) for a tangy flavor.
* **Corn:** Add cooked corn kernels for sweetness and texture.
* **Black Beans:** Add rinsed and drained black beans for a Southwestern flavor.
* **Goat Cheese:** Crumble goat cheese into the salad for a tangy and creamy addition.

## Serving Suggestions

This avocado chicken salad is delicious on its own, but it can also be served in a variety of ways:

* **Sandwiches:** Serve the salad on your favorite bread, croissants, or rolls.
* **Lettuce Wraps:** Serve the salad in lettuce cups for a low-carb option.
* **Crackers:** Serve the salad with your favorite crackers.
* **Salad:** Serve the salad on top of a bed of mixed greens.
* **Stuffed Bell Peppers:** Stuff bell peppers with the salad and bake until tender.
* **Avocado Toast:** Spread the salad on avocado toast.
* **Deviled Eggs:** Use the salad to fill deviled eggs.
* **Tomato Cups:** Fill hollowed-out tomatoes with the salad.
* **Cucumber Bites:** Place a spoonful of the salad on cucumber slices for a refreshing appetizer.
* **Celery Sticks:** Fill celery sticks with the salad for a healthy snack.

## Storage Instructions

Store leftover avocado chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best to consume it within 1-2 days, as the avocado may start to brown and the salad may become watery. To prevent browning, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the salad before sealing the container.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

*Please note that nutritional information is approximate and can vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

* Serving Size: 1/2 cup
* Calories: Approximately 250-350
* Protein: 20-25 grams
* Fat: 15-25 grams
* Carbohydrates: 5-10 grams
* Fiber: 3-5 grams

This creamy avocado chicken salad is a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional chicken salad. It’s easy to make, versatile, and packed with flavor. Try it today and see why it’s a new favorite!

## Recipe Card

**Creamy Avocado Chicken Salad**

A healthy and delicious alternative to traditional chicken salad, using creamy avocado instead of mayonnaise.

**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Chill Time:** 30 minutes (optional)
**Total Time:** 45 minutes

**Yield:** 4 servings

**Ingredients:**

* 2-3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
* 2 ripe avocados
* ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
* ¼ cup celery, finely diced
* 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
* 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
* 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
* ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
* Salt and pepper to taste
* Optional add-ins: Grape tomatoes, bacon, nuts, corn, jalapenos

**Instructions:**

1. Prepare the chicken: Shred or dice the cooked chicken.
2. Prepare the avocado dressing: Mash the avocados in a large bowl. Add lime juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
3. Combine ingredients: Add chicken, red onion, celery, and cilantro to the avocado dressing. Stir gently.
4. Add optional ingredients (if using): Add any optional add-ins and stir gently.
5. Chill and serve: Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Serve on bread, crackers, or lettuce wraps.

Enjoy your delicious and healthy creamy avocado chicken salad!

## More Recipes To Try

If you enjoyed this avocado chicken salad recipe, here are a few other recipes you might like:

* Classic Chicken Salad
* Tuna Salad
* Egg Salad
* Shrimp Salad
* Pasta Salad

I hope you enjoy this recipe! Let me know in the comments if you try it and what you think. What are your favorite add-ins for chicken salad?