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Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe

Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe

A rich and refreshing chicken salad featuring buttery avocado, zesty lime, and crisp celery. This nourishing meal comes together in about 35 minutes, making it a fantastic option for a healthy lunch or a light dinner.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 352

Ingredients
  

  • 500 g skinless boneless chicken breasts
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp sea salt divided
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • 2 large ripe avocados
  • 1 large lime juice only (about 2 tbsp)
  • 100 g full-fat Greek yoghurt optional, for extra creaminess
  • 1 small red onion finely diced
  • 2 celery stalks finely diced
  • 30 g fresh coriander roughly chopped
  • Genuine Flavour: The buttery avocado creates a rich base which is cut through by the sharp, zesty flavour of fresh lime juice and the subtle aniseed note from the crisp celery. It’s refreshing and satisfying all at once.
  • Ready in Under 40 Minutes: From start to finish this nourishing meal comes together in about 35 minutes, making it a fantastic option for a healthy lunch or a light dinner on a busy day.
  • Flexible Recipe: Feel free to make it your own. You can add a handful of sweet cherry tomatoes some diced cucumber for extra freshness, or even a sprinkle of toasted seeds for more crunch.
  • Great for Meal Prep: This recipe is ideal when you want to get ahead. You can cook the chicken and chop the vegetables in advance then simply mix everything together when you're ready to eat for the freshest result.
  • Family Tested: Everyone in my house seems to love this from my husband who takes it for his work lunch to my kids who enjoy it scooped into a soft brioche bun. It always gets compliments.

Method
 

  1. Cook the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel. Rub them all over with olive oil, ½ teaspoon of salt, the black pepper, and garlic powder. Place them in a single layer on a baking tray.
  2. Bake Until Juicy: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 74°C on a meat thermometer. This is the best way to ensure it’s both safe and still succulent. For more guidance on this, the Food Standards Agency has helpful advice.
  3. Rest and Shred: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest on a cutting board for at least 10 minutes. This step is crucial for keeping the juices locked in. Once rested, use two forks to shred the chicken, or simply dice it into small cubes.
  4. Prepare the Avocado Base: While the chicken is resting, slice the avocados in half, remove the stones, and scoop the flesh into a large mixing bowl.
  5. Mash and Season: Add the lime juice to the avocado immediately—this prevents it from browning. Mash with a fork until it's mostly smooth but still has a bit of texture. Stir in the Greek yoghurt (if using) and the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt.
  6. Combine Everything: Add the shredded chicken, finely diced red onion, celery, and chopped coriander to the bowl with the avocado mixture.
  7. Mix Gently: Fold all the ingredients together until everything is well-coated. I find that mixing it gently helps keep some texture from the chicken and avocado chunks.
  8. Taste and Adjust: Have a taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. It might need another pinch of salt or a little more lime juice depending on your preference. Serve immediately or chill for 20 minutes to let the flavours meld.

Notes

Great for meal prep; cook the chicken and chop vegetables in advance, then mix when ready to eat. Feel free to add cherry tomatoes, cucumber, or toasted seeds for variation.