Creamy Chicken Salad With Guacamole Sauce
Are you on the hunt for a meal that excites the taste buds while still aligning with your wellness goals? We certainly understand the challenge of finding dishes that are both delicious and nutritious. Thatās precisely why weāre delighted to introduce a recipe that will revolutionise your mealtimes: our sensational Creamy Chicken Salad With Guacamole Sauce. This is far more than your average salad; itās a lively, flavour-forward creation that marries the comfort of a classic chicken salad with the vibrant, creamy goodness of freshly made guacamole. Itās the ideal way to enjoy healthy eating without ever feeling like youāre missing out.
This dish truly is a game-changer. We’ve thoughtfully replaced the traditional heavy mayonnaise with a light yet decadent sauce crafted from ripe avocados and Greek yoghurt. The outcome is a wonderfully smooth texture that beautifully coats the tender shredded chicken, crisp vegetables, and a bright hint of lime. Itās a complete and balanced meal that will leave you feeling satisfied, energised, and eagerly anticipating the next time you can make it. Letās get started and craft this culinary delight together!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A Symphony of Flavours: The blend of savoury chicken, zesty lime, fresh coriander, and rich avocado creates an absolutely irresistible taste experience. It’s a masterful fusion of two beloved dishes that harmonise perfectly.
- Healthy and Wholesome: Brimming with lean protein from the chicken and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats from the avocado, this is a Healthy Salad that properly fuels your body and keeps you feeling full for hours. We omit the mayo in favour of a fresher, more nourishing sauce.
- Quick and Effortless to Make: Whether youāre using leftover chicken or preparing it from scratch, this recipe is ready in under 30 minutes. Itās perfect for a swift weeknight meal or for prepping lunches for the week ahead.
- Wonderfully Versatile: Enjoy it served over a bed of mixed greens, spooned into crisp lettuce cups, piled high on toasted sourdough bread, or rolled into a flavourful wrap. The serving possibilities are truly endless!
- Suits Any Occasion: This salad is chic enough for a summer gathering yet straightforward enough for a casual family picnic. It’s a guaranteed hit that will have everyone asking you for the recipe.
Ingredients
- cooked chicken breasts
- celery stalk
- red onion
- cherry tomatoes
- fresh coriander
- romaine or butter lettuce
- ripe avocados
- plain Greek yoghurt
- black pepper
For this delightful recipe, weāve organised the ingredients into two key groups: the foundation of the chicken salad and the recipe’s crowning glory, our homemade guacamole sauce. Hereās everything you will need:
- For the Chicken Salad:
- 3 large cooked chicken breasts (about 500g), shredded or diced
- 1 large celery stalk, finely chopped
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
- 150g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 handful of fresh coriander, roughly chopped
- 1 head of romaine or butter lettuce, for serving
- For the Creamy Guacamole Sauce:
- 2 large ripe avocados
- 120g plain Greek yoghurt (full-fat for extra creaminess)
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 large lime
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
How to Make Creamy Chicken Salad With Guacamole Sauce
Putting together this gorgeous dish is a straightforward, three-part process. Weāll first prepare the chicken and vegetables, then whip up the luscious sauce, and finally, combine everything. Follow these simple steps for a flawless result every time.
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken and Vegetables
The secret to an exceptional Chicken Salad lies in perfectly cooked, tender chicken. If you don’t already have leftovers, we find poaching is the ideal method to guarantee it remains succulent and moist.
- Cook the Chicken (if needed): Place the chicken breasts in a saucepan and add enough water or chicken stock to cover them completely. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer, then lower the heat, pop on a lid, and let it cook for 15ā20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked. Remove the chicken from the pan and allow it to cool.
- Shred the Chicken: Once cool enough to handle, use two forks to pull the chicken apart into bite-sized shreds. Alternatively, you can dice it into neat cubes. Transfer the shredded chicken to a large mixing bowl. A stand mixer with a paddle attachment can also shred chicken in seconds!
- Prepare the Vegetables: Finely chop the red onion and celery. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and roughly chop the fresh coriander. Add all these fresh ingredients to the bowl with your prepared chicken.
Step 2: Create the Creamy Guacamole Sauce
This is where the magic happens. Our creamy, vibrant Guacamole Sauce is what truly elevates this recipe. It’s fresh, tangy, and a much healthier alternative to dressings made with mayonnaise.
- Prepare the Avocados: Slice the ripe avocados in half, carefully remove the stones, and scoop the rich green flesh into a medium-sized bowl.
- Mash and Combine: With a fork, mash the avocado until it reaches your preferred texture. We enjoy it mostly smooth with a few rustic chunks left in.
- Add the Flavour: To the mashed avocado, add the Greek yoghurt, minced garlic, fresh lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Stir until all the ingredients are fully incorporated and the sauce is beautifully creamy. Have a taste and adjust the seasoning as you see fitāa little more lime juice can add extra zing.
Step 3: Assemble Your Masterpiece
With all your components prepped and ready, it’s time to bring your Creamy Chicken Salad With Guacamole Sauce to life. This is the final and most satisfying step!
- Combine and Fold: Pour the freshly made guacamole sauce over the chicken and vegetable mixture. Using a spatula, gently fold everything together, ensuring the chicken and veggies are evenly coated in the delicious sauce.
- Serve Immediately: For the ultimate flavour and texture, we suggest serving this salad right away. Arrange a bed of fresh lettuce leaves on your plates or in a large serving bowl, then spoon the chicken salad generously on top. Garnish with a little extra chopped coriander for a finishing touch.
Top Tips and Delicious Variations
This Chicken Recipe is absolutely wonderful as it is, but itās also incredibly versatile. Here are a few of our favourite tips and creative twists to help you customise it.
Tips for the Perfect Salad
- Use Rotisserie Chicken: For a fantastic time-saving hack, pick up a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken from your local supermarket. Itās already flavourful and makes preparation even quicker.
- Don’t Underestimate the Lime: The lime juice in the guacamole sauce is essential. It not only adds a bright, zesty note but its acidity also helps to slow down the browning of the avocado.
- Chill for Enhanced Flavour: If time permits, let the finished chicken salad chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving. This allows all the distinct flavours to mingle and deepen beautifully.
Fun Variations to Try
- Add a Spicy Element: Finely dice a fresh jalapeƱo or sprinkle a pinch of red chilli flakes into the guacamole sauce to introduce a gentle warmth.
- Boost the Substance: Mix in a tin of drained sweetcorn or black beans for added texture, fibre, and a delightful Southwestern-inspired twist.
- Create a Sandwich or Wrap: This chicken salad is heavenly when served in a sandwich on wholegrain bread or rolled into a soft tortilla for a convenient, portable lunch.
- Switch Up the Herbs: If coriander isn’t to your taste, fresh parsley or dill would also complement the flavours of this recipe wonderfully.
A Healthy Twist on a Classic Dish
One of the most appealing aspects of this recipe is its fantastic nutritional value. By substituting mayonnaise with a sauce based on avocado and Greek yoghurt, we’re infusing this dish with beneficial nutrients. Avocados are a superb source of monounsaturated fats, which are important for heart health, as highlighted by authorities like the NHS. When paired with the lean protein from the chicken, this salad offers a balanced meal that aids muscle maintenance and promotes lasting satiety. Itās one of many of our Healthy Chicken Recipes created to show that wholesome food can be incredibly tasty. For another fresh and light meal idea, consider our vibrant Bruschetta Chicken.
FAQ
A New Favourite for Your Recipe Collection
We are certain that this Creamy Chicken Salad With Guacamole Sauce will earn a permanent spot in your meal rotation. It perfectly balances creamy, zesty, and savoury notes, all while being remarkably simple to prepare and wonderfully good for you.
Itās time to say farewell to uninspired lunches and welcome a vibrant, fulfilling meal that youāll genuinely look forward to eating. This recipe is a testament to how simple, fresh ingredients can come together to create something truly extraordinary.
So, what are you waiting for? We encourage you to give this fantastic recipe a try! We would be thrilled to hear what you think. Feel free to leave a comment below or tag us in your culinary creations on social media. Happy cooking!
Meta Description: Looking for a fresh lunch idea? Try our Creamy Chicken Salad With Guacamole Sauce! This easy, healthy recipe is packed with flavour and is sure to become a new favourite.
Recipe Card
Ingredients
- 3 large cooked chicken breasts (about 500g), shredded or diced
- 1 large celery stalk, finely chopped
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
- 150g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 handful of fresh coriander, roughly chopped
- 2 large ripe avocados
- 120g plain Greek yoghurt
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 large lime
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 head of romaine or butter lettuce, for serving
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, chopped red onion, chopped celery, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped coriander.
- In a separate medium bowl, scoop out the flesh of the avocados and mash with a fork. Add the Greek yoghurt, minced garlic, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Stir until the sauce is creamy and well combined.
- Pour the guacamole sauce over the chicken and vegetable mixture. Gently fold everything together until evenly coated. Serve immediately on a bed of lettuce leaves and enjoy.
