Avocado Chicken Salad

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This healthy Avocado Chicken Salad is made with chicken breast, avocado, lemon juice, and celery for a fun twist on a classic that's ready in 10 minutes. Slap it on bread, salads, lettuce wraps, and more for an easy lunch.

179 CAL 6g CARBS 9g FAT 18g PROTEIN 2
1 Comment

As someone who feels just meh about mayonnaise, I am always looking for other ways to make chicken salad. This Avocado Chicken Salad ditches the mayo and uses avocado instead for a just-as-creamy result. It's Paleo, Whole30, and low-carb friendly. What's not to love?

There are so many ways to customize this recipe to make it your own, too. You can add bacon, add veggies, or even switch up the flavor with hummus or pesto. Make a big batch to eat throughout the week for a protein-packed lunch that keeps you full and doesn't skimp on flavor.

Want more lunchtime favorites? Try this Avocado Tuna Salad and Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad!

Flat lay of ingredients for avocado chicken salad, including a bowl of shredded chicken in the center, surrounded by whole avocados, chopped red onion, fresh cilantro, lime wedges, halved limes, ground spices, and red pepper flakes on a light countertop.

Before You Get Started

Here are some things to note before you get started with this recipe:

  • Use a rotisserie chicken to cut down on prep time. Remove the chicken from the bones and chop or shred it to use in this recipe. You can also use leftover pre-cooked chicken if you have it.
  • Choose a ripe avocado that's soft enough for mashing but not too mushy.
  • Prep your add-ins. If you plan on adding things like bacon or chopped veggies, prep them beforehand so you can toss everything together quickly.

How to cook chicken for chicken salad

When it comes to chicken salad, I have to be honest, I almost always use a rotisserie chicken to make things super quick and easy. I also often use leftover baked or grilled chicken - whatever I have on hand. However, if you are starting with raw chicken breast, here is the easiest way to prepare it.

  • Add the chicken breast in a single layer to the bottom of a large pot. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with chicken broth or water until there is about a half-inch of liquid above the chicken breasts. Bring to a boil and then immediately turn down to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Then turn off the heat and let the chicken continue to cook, covered, for 15 minutes. Once it is cooked through, remove from the broth and let cool slightly. Use two forks to shred the chicken, or simply chop it into small pieces.

How to Make Chicken Salad with Avocados

1. Prep the Base

In a medium bowl, mash the avocado with lime juice using a fork until mostly smooth. Add a pinch of salt and pepper.

2. Mix Everything Together

Stir in cooked chicken, chopped red onion, cilantro, cumin, and red pepper flakes. Add more lime juice, onion, or cilantro if needed. Serve immediately or store in the fridge for later.

How to choose avocados

Assuming you will be using the avocados right away to make this chicken salad, you want to look for avocados with darker skin that are free from any large indentations or dents, which normally indicates it is bruised or overly ripe. When you feel the avocado, it should feel slightly soft to the touch but not mushy at all. When you open it up, the inside should be bright green, and the avocado should be tender. Here is a great guide for choosing avocados based on when you will be using them.

Close-up of a stacked sandwich made with creamy avocado chicken salad on thick slices of rustic bread. The filling is packed with shredded chicken and mashed avocado, served on a white plate with parchment paper.

Recipe Ideas for Chicken Avocado Salad

Want to change things up? Here are some fun ideas to get started:

  • Add spice: Make it spicy with some chopped fresh or pickled jalapenos. Red pepper flakes also work if you don't want to do any chopping.
  • Add eggs: Hard-boil some eggs, chop them up, and toss them in the salad. This is a great way to get some extra protein in!
  • Add crunch: Add every crunch and flavor with diced carrots, red onion, corn, pickles, or red peppers.
  • Make it into guacamole: Make it guacamole-inspired by adding some diced jalapenos, onions, cilantro, and lime juice.
  • Add sweetness: Add some sweetness with some dried cranberries, chopped apples, or dried cherries.
  • Change the flavor: Switch up the flavor profile by adding some hummus, pesto, salsa, or harissa.
  • Mix and match: For a mix between a traditional chicken salad and this avocado chicken salad, use half mayonnaise (or Greek yogurt) and half mashed avocado.
  • Make it vegetarian: For a vegetarian version, use mashed chickpeas or chopped baked tofu instead.
  • Swap the dressing: Use this avocado hummus as the dressing instead of just using avocados.

Tips for Making Avocado Chicken Salad

Here are some tips for making this chicken salad recipe:

  • Swap with guacamole: If you can't find ripe avocados, consider using guacamole in place of the mashed avocado. This is also a great trick for meal prep since it makes it easy to pack in advance, since the packaged guacamole doesn't brown as quickly.
  • Make it chunky: For a chunkier salad, don't mash the avocado as much and leave it in bigger pieces. This is especially delicious if you are using it on a salad.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment! You can take this in so many different directions. Add black beans, corn, jalapeno peppers, red onion, and/or cilantro to take it in a Mexican direction. Add basil, roasted red peppers, and feta for a Mediterranean feel. Add Everything Bagel seasoning and sprouts to create the flavors of a really yummy avocado toast. There are so many fun options.
  • Add bacon: Add crumbled bacon for a delicious salty element. Center-cut or turkey bacon will keep things lighter.

Ways to Serve Avocado Chicken Salad

There are so many different ways to enjoy this dish and ways to serve it. Here are some of our favorites.

  • Needless to say, this makes an amazing sandwich layered between some toasted whole wheat bread and piled high with tomatoes, red onion, lettuce, and sprouts. It's also great in a low-carb or high-fiber wrap.
  • For a low-carb option, hollow out some tomatoes and stuff them with the avocado chicken salad instead. Make sure to season the tomatoes with salt and pepper first so that the whole dish is super flavorful.
  • Serve wrapped up in Bibb lettuce leaves or piled high on cucumber slices for a party or lunch.
  • Grab some crackers, pretzels, or pita chips and use the avocado chicken salad as a dip with some freshly sliced veggies.
  • Use it as a topping for a big green salad.

Storing Avocado Chicken Salad

Generally speaking, chicken salad will last 3-4 days in the fridge. However, since this version has avocado, it sometimes browns sooner, usually 1-2 days after preparing it, even with the lemon juice. If you want to prep it in advance, I recommend making everything except the avocado. Then simply mash the avocado and add it to the salad when you are ready to eat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about Avocado Chicken Salad:

Yes, in a pinch. Drain it well and break it into small pieces before mixing. It may be slightly saltier, so taste before adding more salt.

 

Absolutely. Multiply the ingredients accordingly. If you're making a large batch, mash the avocado right before serving to keep it fresh and vibrant.

 

Freezing isn't recommended since avocado changes texture and can become watery or mushy once thawed. For longer storage, prep all ingredients except the avocado and freeze the base. Add fresh avocado when ready to serve.

Avocado Chicken Salad is made with real, simple ingredients like chicken, avocado, and veggies, so it’s a go-to for many people looking for a wholesome meal. Since it isn’t made with mayo, it’s a bit lighter in calories, but just as creamy and filling! It all depends on what feels good and works for you.

A bowl of creamy avocado chicken salad made with shredded chicken, mashed avocado, diced red onion, chopped cilantro, and spices. Lime wedges and fresh avocado are placed nearby on a neutral countertop.
The Recipe
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Avocado Chicken Salad

179 CAL 6g CARBS 9g FAT 18g PROTEIN 2
PREP TIME: 5 Min
COOK TIME: 5 Min
TOTAL TIME: 10 Min
1 Comment
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Ingredients

US METRICS
  • 2 cups cooked boneless skinless chicken breast
  • 1 avocado
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp cilantro
  • 2 tbsp red onion
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • Salt and pepper

Instructions

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1

Mash the avocado with the lime juice using the back of a fork. Season with salt and pepper.

2

Stir in the chicken, red onion, cilantro, cumin, and red pepper flakes. If desired, add more lime juice, red onion, or cilantro.

Equipment

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Nutritional Facts
Serving Size: 3/4 cup
Amount Per Serving
Calories 179
Calories from Fat 83
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 9g
14%
Saturated Fat 2g
8%
Monounsaturated Fat 1g
0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
0%
Cholesterol 59mg
20%
Sodium 34mg
1%
Total Carbohydrate 6g
2%
Dietary Fiber 3g
14%
Sugars 1g
Protein 18g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

The Nutritional Values provided are estimates only and may vary based on the preparation method.

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About the author Meet Kristen McCaffrey
Hi, I’m the cookbook author, recipe developer, and food enthusiast behind Slender Kitchen. I am obsessed with making healthy food that is easy to prepare and absolutely delicious. Meal planning is my secret weapon and I hope I can make meal time easier for you with our tried and tested recipes and foolproof meal plans. Learn More
1 Comment
On Avocado Chicken Salad
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Luanne Butcher
March 19, 2025 - 16:14
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5
AMAZING on buttered sourdough bread, topped with slices of fresh firm ripe tomato sprinkled with salt & pepper … yummy!
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