Ingredients
Scale
- Cooked Chicken: 2 cups, shredded or diced (about 2 large chicken breasts, or meat from a small rotisserie chicken)
- Ripe Avocados: 2 medium, Hass avocados are preferred for their creamy texture
- Red Onion: 1/4 cup, finely chopped (soak in cold water for 10 minutes to mellow flavor, if desired)
- Cilantro: 1/4 cup, freshly chopped (or parsley, if you’re not a cilantro fan)
- Lime Juice: 2 tablespoons, freshly squeezed (from about 1 large lime, plus more to taste)
- Greek Yogurt (Optional): 2 tablespoons, plain, unsweetened (for extra creaminess and tang, can be omitted)
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon, or to taste
- Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon, freshly ground, or to taste
- Optional Flavor Boosters:
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- Pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat
- 1 celery stalk, finely diced (for extra crunch)
- 1/4 cup diced bell pepper (any color, for sweetness and crunch)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: If you haven’t already, shred or dice your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Place it in a medium to large mixing bowl. If using rotisserie chicken, remove the skin and bones before shredding the meat.
- Prepare the Avocado: Halve the avocados, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into the mixing bowl with the chicken. You can either dice the avocado before adding it or mash it directly in the bowl, depending on your preferred texture. For a chunkier salad, dice. For a creamier base, mash some or all of it.
- Add Aromatics and Herbs: Add the finely chopped red onion and freshly chopped cilantro (or parsley) to the bowl.
- Dress and Season: Pour the fresh lime juice over the avocado and chicken. This helps prevent the avocado from oxidizing and turning brown, while also adding essential flavor. If using, add the Greek yogurt now. Sprinkle in the salt, black pepper, and any optional flavor boosters like cumin or red pepper flakes.
- Mix Gently: Using a fork or spatula, gently mix all the ingredients together until well combined. Be careful not to overmix, especially if you want to maintain some chunks of avocado. The goal is to coat the chicken evenly and create a cohesive salad.
- Taste and Adjust: This is a critical step! Taste the chicken salad and adjust seasonings as needed. You might want more lime juice for tanginess, more salt to enhance the flavors, or a bit more pepper for a kick.
- Serve Immediately: For the best flavor and texture, serve the avocado chicken salad immediately. If you need to store it, see the tips below on how to minimize browning.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One Normal Portion
- Calories: 300-350