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GET IT NOWIf you’re an avocado fan, my avocado chicken salad is such a fun a twist on classic chicken salad. Swapping the mayo for avocado works amazingly well. I just had to tweak the flavors a bit. This creamy salad is perfect for a quick lunch or a chill dinner, especially when it’s warm out. Make it with me!
Why You Need My Avocado Chicken Salad
- Zesty, creamy, and satisfying – Think of this as chicken salad meets guacamole. I’ve swapped the classic add-ins with zippy red onion, herby cilantro, spicy jalapeno, and a splash of lime.
- Fast and easy – You can throw together my avocado chicken salad recipe in about 10 minutes if your chicken is pre-cooked. I love it for hectic days when I can’t be bothered to heat up the kitchen.
- Versatile, healthy, and gluten-free – It’s the perfect light lunch! I’ve got several ways you can serve it below, but I even eat it by the spoonful straight from the bowl. ?
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my chicken avocado salad recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Avocados – You definitely want ripe avocado for that perfect creamy texture. They should feel slightly soft under a gentle press.
- Lime Juice – Livens up all the flavors and prevents the avocado from browning too fast. Fresh squeezed tastes the best, but bottled lime juice (or lemon juice) will work.
- Cooked Chicken – What I really love about this avocado chicken salad is how flexible it is for using up leftover chicken breast! You can use rotisserie chicken, Instant Pot shredded chicken (my go-to), or cubed grilled chicken, baked chicken, or even pan seared chicken.
- Red Onion – I like the bite and color. White onions would be the next best option.
- Fresh Cilantro – If you’re not a fan, you can substitute parsley or sliced green onions.
- Jalapeño Pepper – I use just half. You can throw in the whole one for more heat, or remove the seeds to make it milder. For my kids, I leave it out altogether.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper
How To Make Avocado Chicken Salad
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Mash the avocado. In a large bowl, mash together the avocado and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.
- Mix it up. Add the cooked chicken, chopped red onion, cilantro, and diced jalapeños. Stir everything together.
My Recipe Tips
- You can adjust the consistency. I like my chicken avocado salad with distinct chunks of chicken and even a few avocado pieces. So, I shred the chicken larger and don’t mash the avocado completely. You can mash more if you like a smoother texture.
- Dice the jalapenos very small. Otherwise, they can overpower some bites. You can also dice the onion finer than I did if you like.
- How much salt and pepper you need can vary depending on how salty your cooked chicken is. If you’re unsure, you can always start with less and add more to taste at the end.
Recipe Variations
- More veggies – Add diced celery for more crunch, fresh tomatoes for juicy sweetness, or a hint of minced garlic because… garlic.
- Protein options – Sometimes I toss in a couple hard boiled eggs to make the avocado chicken salad even more filling, or use them instead of chicken (see my avocado egg salad). You can also use shrimp, like my shrimp avocado salad.
- Mediterranean – Use lemon juice instead of lime juice. Swap the jalapenos and cilantro with chopped red peppers (or even roasted red peppers), sliced olives, fresh dill, and crumbled feta cheese.
- Caprese – Again, lemon juice works best for this one. Replace the jalapenos and cilantro with halved cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella pearls, and fresh basil.
Meal Prep Options
Avocado chicken salad is tricky to store, because the avocado turns brown. You’ve got a couple options here:
- Prep the components only: This is my preferred method. Pre-cook your chicken, and dice your onions and jalapenos in advance. It only takes me a few minutes to stir together the day-of!
- Add more lime juice: You’ll still need to keep the air out (see below), but an extra 1-2 tablespoons of lime juice will slow down the browning.
- Keep the air out: Plastic wrap flush against the surface can help. My guacamole keeper works even better!
- Freeze: Unlike the regular kind, you can freeze chicken salad with avocado! You’ll still need to protect it from air exposure, so follow the methods I use for freezing avocado.
Serving Ideas
I mentioned that I can totally eat this avocado chicken salad straight with a spoon, but it’s even better like this:
- Lettuce wraps – They’re quick, easy and so refreshing in the summer. I like to use bibb lettuce, as pictured above, because the leaves are large and flexible.
- Serve as a dip – I love scooping up this chicken avocado salad with flax seed crackers or baked tortilla chips for crunch! You can even use halved mini bell peppers, or sliced radishes and cucumbers.
- Sandwiches – Slather this salad between slices of your favorite bread, or tuck it inside your favorite tortillas.
- Stuffed avocado – For a fun presentation, serve the chicken salad in an avocado shell. It’s similar to my BLT stuffed avocado, and looks pretty fancy!
More Chicken Salad Recipes
So many good ways to turn chicken into a salad! Try my others next:
Avocado Chicken Salad (6 Ingredients)
My easy avocado chicken salad with lime, cilantro, and red onion is creamy, tangy, and fresh. The perfect healthy meal in just 10 minutes!
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Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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In a large bowl, combine the avocado, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Mash together with a fork.
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Add the shredded chicken, red onion, cilantro, and jalapenos (if using). Stir everything together, until uniform.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.
Avocado Chicken Salad
Gratitude Moment
Avocado is one of my favorite foods, and I pretty much always have some in my fridge or on the counter. (Um, have you seen my logo?)
The only problem with them is that they go something like: not ripe, not ripe, not ripe… okay, now you have 5 minutes to use it… missed your chance, it’s brown!
So, today I’m just over here feeling happy that my avocado is just right and I was able to enjoy it for lunch. Hope you’re just as lucky!
43 Comments
Richard Cohn
0Thank you Maya for sharing this recipe.
I thought this recipe was interesting. I did exactly what you called for in the recipe except that I did add a clove of fresh garlic and I did also had about two tablespoons of real mayonnaise. I did not taste the garlic with one clove so maybe I will need to use two.
The final product was good and maybe I will probably make it again. However, I do enjoy making something different. If I make it next time, I may add some jalapeno peppers if it is just me eating it because the rest of my family besides me do not like spicy food.
I paid close attention on how to store in the refrigerator as I used plastic wrap not only over the bowl but I also rolled the leftovers in a ball and I used plastic wrap on the ball as well as to make sure no air will get to the salad.
Have you ever added a little bit of mayo on this recipe?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0You’re very welcome, Richard! Thanks for sharing your variation. I haven’t added mayo to this recipe, but I’m sure it would work!
Carol L
0Another variation on this would be to use tuna or salmon, add in a few capers and some cherry or grape tomatoes.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0That sounds delicious, Carol! Thanks for sharing!
Brian Mitchell
0Absolutely loved this salad! The avocado turned out creamy then mixed with lime, cilantro, and a hint of jalapeno was so refreshing. Delicious!
Brenda Esser
0Hi Maya, this sounds delicious. Do you think one could use frozen avocado? (thawed obviously). I can’t seem to get the fresh ones to the right ripeness before they are bad.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Brenda, Frozen won’t taste as good as fresh, but yes, that would probably work.
Missy
0Avocados are my go-to too! It’s like a constant countdown to perfect ripeness, right? This recipe is a fresh favorite of mine! Mixing in the lime juice and cilantro brings back memories of summer picnics. So good!
Janice Merriman
0Made this yesterday evening and it truly was delicious and filling. I am not used to such healthy and satisfying food! I made as instructed but downsized the servings to “5”. (By the way, using this option in the recipes is so useful since I am only cooking for myself!). I wrapped the Avocado Chicken Salad in butter lettuce leaves. So good! Thank you Maya!!!
Aditi Bahl
0Avocado and chicken salad. Lovely combo. Two of my favorites. Have tried different variations of this combo but have to say this one was just great. Loved the flavors. Saving it on my list.
Marisa F Stewart
0We bought a rotisserie chicken at the store to make some quick meals. When I saw this recipe I knew that I’d found our lunch for several days. It was so good and the avocado is so rich and satisfying it doesn’t take much to make you feel full. Next week I think I’ll make more and serve it for dinner. The recipe is a keeper.
Sandhya Ramakrishnan
0What a great recipe to make for lunch! It is delicious and so easy to make and I love it wrapped in some crunchy lettuce.
Natalia
0You had me at avocado salad! I’m such an avo fan myself! And this salad is just perfect for the summer, it’s so quick and easy. Thank you!
Leslie
0This is the perfect recipe! Especially for a quick lunch. I love how easy this was to make as well!
Kate
0This is definitely what I was looking for. Just looking at the recipe and the pictures I know I’m going to love eating this salad. 🙂
Dena
0Can I substitute lemon juice for the lime juice?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Dena, Yes, that would work!
Paula
0This salad has the best flavor…. love that it’s good for us too!
Bernice Hill
0This is the perfect, quick lunch for me. I love having leftover chicken in the fridge just so I can make chicken salad.
Amy L Huntley
0This is the first time that I have made this recipe. I feel so much better about eating this version of chicken salad. The avocado is so creamy and delicious!
veenaazmanov
0I love the creaminess and nutty taste of Avocado. My all time favorite. This salad is definitely perfect for a Happy Meal option . Love the combination too.
Jere Cassidy
0My husband will love this chicken salad with the avocados in it. This is perfect for lunches.
Marta
0This was a great add to our lunch rotation. We used a good sourdough and it was perfect. Thanks for sharing!
Kristyn
0I could eat avocado by the spoonfuls!! This was delicious & I’ll be eating it a ton more!
Claudia
0Delicious. Made lettuce wraps with it.
Silvia
0Anything with avocado is a winner in my book, This salad is so easy to make and so delicious, the combination of the avocado, jalapeño, lime juice and chicken is really amazing. I’ll be making this over and over again.
Natalie
0Amazing!! Best way to prepare chicken salad for sure! I could eat this with crackers, bread, alone..it’s too good!
Swathi
0This avocado chicken salad is yummy.
Samantha
0Absolutely amazing! I love avocados and lime together.
Scarlet
0The avocado gives it a very creamy texture and I love the cilantro and lime flavors in this avocado chicken salad too!
Diane
0Loved this recipe!! I love guacamole and it was delicious like guacamole and had the chicken in it for increased protein! I added some extra fresh squeezed lime juice because I love this flavor! Thank you!!
Sabrina Scheving
0Simple and delicious. Thanks!
Katie Schweiss
0I LOVE this recipe! Today I made it with leftover Christmas turkey I had in the freezer. Avocadoes are one of my favorite foods, and I like having different ways to eat them. Saw this recipe in your Instagram feed last week and just had to try it! It’s really delicious with flax seed crackers.
Lorraine
0Thanks Maya! This recipe is easy, delicious, keto-friendly, and low-cal! Can’t get much better than that! 🙂
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I am so happy to hear that, Lorraine! Have a great day!
Loreto and Nicoletta
0This is a great for lunch. I love that the creaminess from the avocado! Great job!
Pamela
0Thank you
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0You’re so welcome, Pamela! Hope you liked it.
Bobbi Karsteter
0Somehow I missed it. What does WHOLE30 mean? I love the salad and I’m crazy about avocado mayo. I’m crazy about avocados period.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Bobbi, Whole30 is a 30-day reset plan focused on whole foods. It excludes all grains, legumes, dairy, sweeteners (even natural ones), artificial or processed ingredients, and replacements for junk food or dessert even if made with approved ingredients. It’s not meant to be permanent but rather a reset as a start to a healthier way of eating. My avocado chicken salad is whole30 approved, but it’s also just plain delicious.
Becca
0Does this keep well for leftovers? I love reading your recipes and trying things out!! 🙂
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Becca, It’s best the day of, but will keep in the fridge for a couple days. It just starts to turn brown from the avocado after some time.
Lorraine
2Becca, I cook and shred the chicken, mix it with all the ingredients except the avocado & lime, then cover and refrigerate. In the morning, on the day I plan to take it to work for lunch, I quickly mash 1/2 avocado, add the lime juice and combine with 1/4 of the chicken mixture. Delicious, quick, and no browning! -Lorraine