Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe

If your day is already doing the most (emails, kids, errands, life), Avocado Chicken Salad is here to save dinner—or lunch—without making you cry into a cutting board. It’s fresh, crunchy, creamy, and the kind of meal that makes you feel like you “have it together” even if you’re wearing mismatched socks.

This Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe is perfect when you want something wholesome and filling, but you also want it fast. No oven drama. No weird ingredients. Just real food that tastes like a mini reset.

Why You’ll Love This Avocado Chicken Salad

  • Fast and no-fuss: If your chicken is already cooked, you’re basically 10 minutes away from happiness.
  • Creamy without mayo: The avocado does the “rich and dreamy” job all by itself.
  • Fresh, crunchy, colorful: Tomatoes + cucumber + cilantro = bright flavors and big “I should eat like this more often” energy.
  • Meal-prep friendly (with one tiny trick): I’ll show you how to keep it from turning sad and brown.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s your shopping list for a vibrant, crunchy bowl of goodness:

For the salad

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced
  • 2 ripe avocados, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cucumber, diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

For the dressing

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1/2 tsp cumin

How to Make This Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe

Ready? This is the kind of recipe you can make while chatting with your kids, listening to a podcast, or pretending your kitchen is a calm spa (even if your sink disagrees).

1) Gather your ingredients

Pull everything out and line it up. It’s the quickest way to feel organized—and it prevents the classic “Where did I put the cumin?” scavenger hunt.

2) Dice the chicken

Chop your cooked chicken breast into bite-sized pieces. You want pieces small enough to mix easily so you get chicken in every forkful (because nobody wants a bowl of mostly cucumber with one lonely chunk of chicken hiding at the bottom).

3) Prep the veggies

  • Dice the avocados and cucumber
  • Halve the cherry tomatoes

Keep it chunky and colorful. This salad is supposed to look like it belongs on your “life is going great” highlight reel.

4) Chop the cilantro

Give it a rough chop. You don’t need perfect knife skills here—this is a judgment-free zone.

5) Mix the salad

In a large bowl, combine:

  • diced chicken
  • diced avocado
  • cherry tomatoes
  • cucumber
  • cilantro

Sprinkle in garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Then gently toss. (Avocados bruise easily—think “fluff a pillow,” not “wrestle a bear.”)

6) Make the dressing

In a small bowl, whisk together:

  • olive oil
  • lime juice
  • cumin

This dressing is simple, but don’t underestimate it. Lime makes everything pop, and cumin adds that little “wait, what is that delicious flavor?” moment.

7) Dress the salad

Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat. You want every bite kissed with that zesty, savory goodness.

8) Serve it up

Scoop into bowls and enjoy immediately—fresh is where this shines. It works for lunch, dinner, or that “I’m starving and need real food now” situation.

Serving Ideas That Make It Feel Like a Whole Meal

This Avocado Chicken Salad can be whatever you need it to be:

  • Classic bowl: Eat it as-is with a fork (the easiest win).
  • Wrap it up: Spoon it into a tortilla for a quick wrap.
  • Lettuce cups: Use romaine or butter lettuce for a light, crunchy bite.
  • Toast topper: Pile it on toasted sourdough for a fancy-feeling lunch.
  • With chips: Scoop it up with tortilla chips like a hearty dip (yes, that counts as self-care).

Aneta’s Little Kitchen Story

This salad became one of my go-tos when I wanted something fresh but didn’t have time for complicated cooking. The first time I made it, I was aiming for “light lunch”… and somehow it turned into “everyone keeps wandering into the kitchen for bites.”

Now it’s my favorite trick for busy weeks: cook chicken once, and suddenly this Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe is on repeat—because it tastes like effort, but it’s secretly easy. That’s my kind of kitchen magic.

Tips for the Best Avocado Chicken Salad

  • Use ripe-but-firm avocados: If they’re too soft, they’ll mash when you mix. You want creamy chunks, not guacamole salad (unless you’re into that, then follow your heart).
  • Don’t overmix: Gentle tossing keeps everything pretty and fresh.
  • Taste and adjust: Avocados love salt. If it tastes “meh,” add a pinch more salt and a squeeze more lime.
  • Want extra crunch? Add diced red onion or a handful of toasted pepitas.
  • Like it spicy? Add a pinch of chili flakes or diced jalapeño. Instant personality.
Avocado Chicken Salad in a white bowl with seared chicken bites, creamy avocado chunks, red and yellow cherry tomatoes, fresh cilantro, and a zesty lime dressing.
Avocado Chicken Salad with golden seared chicken, creamy avocado, and juicy cherry tomatoes—fresh, filling, and perfect for an easy lunch.

FAQs About This Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe

Can I use rotisserie chicken?

Absolutely. Rotisserie chicken makes this recipe even faster—and it adds great flavor.

How do I keep leftovers from turning brown?

Avocado naturally darkens. The lime helps, but here’s the best trick: store leftovers in an airtight container and press plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the salad before sealing. Less air = less browning.

Can I make it ahead of time?

Yes—with a small tweak. Prep everything except the avocado and dressing, then add those right before serving for the freshest look and texture.

What can I substitute for cilantro?

If cilantro tastes like soap to you (it happens!), swap in parsley or even chopped green onions.

Is this recipe good for meal prep?

Yes! Just keep the avocado and dressing separate until you’re ready to eat. Then toss and enjoy.

Bring a Little Magic to Your Plate

When life is busy, meals shouldn’t feel like another chore. Avocado Chicken Salad is one of those feel-good recipes that’s quick, fresh, and satisfying—without being heavy. Keep this one in your back pocket for hectic weekdays, last-minute lunches, and the moments you want something delicious but don’t want a sink full of dishes.

If you try this Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe, make it your own—add spice, add crunch, or eat it straight from the bowl while standing at the counter like the queen of efficiency. (No judgment. I’ve been there.)

Keep the Chicken Magic Going

If you loved this creamy-crunchy Avocado Chicken Salad, here are a few more reader-favorite recipes that use similar flavors (think zesty lime, fresh veggies, and easy weeknight vibes). Pick your next stop based on what you’re craving:

  • If you’re in the mood for a cool, creamy chicken salad twist, try Tzatziki Chicken Salad Recipe for that fresh, herby, Mediterranean-style bite.
  • Want something with the same bold lime-and-southwest energy? You’ll probably love Southwest Chicken Salad—it’s hearty, flavorful, and perfect for lunch meal-prep.
  • Craving a warm dinner with that avocado + chicken comfort combo? Make it melty and satisfying with Chicken Avocado Melt Sandwich (hello, cheesy goodness).
  • If you’re all about the fresh-and-crunchy salad life, don’t miss Spicy Ranch Chopped Chicken Cabbage Salad—it’s crisp, packed with flavor, and totally weeknight-friendly.

And if you make this Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe, I’d love to hear how it went—please leave a quick star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and a short review (even one sentence helps!). Your feedback helps other readers pick their next tasty meal.

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Avocado Chicken Salad in a white bowl with seared chicken bites, creamy avocado chunks, red and yellow cherry tomatoes, fresh cilantro, and a zesty lime dressing.

Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe


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  • Author: Aneta
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

This Avocado Chicken Salad is creamy, fresh, and full of crunch—made with diced chicken, ripe avocado, juicy cherry tomatoes, and cucumber, all tossed in a bright lime-olive oil dressing with a hint of cumin. Perfect for quick lunches, light dinners, or easy meal prep.


Ingredients

Scale

Salad

  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced

  • 2 ripe avocados, diced

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

  • 1 cucumber, diced

  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Dressing

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • Juice of 1 lime

  • 1/2 tsp cumin


Instructions

  1. Prep ingredients: Dice the cooked chicken, avocados, and cucumber. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Chop the cilantro.

  2. Mix salad: In a large bowl, add chicken, avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, and cilantro. Sprinkle in garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Gently toss.

  3. Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk olive oil, lime juice, and cumin until combined.

  4. Dress & toss: Drizzle dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat (be gentle so the avocado stays chunky).

  5. Serve: Enjoy right away, or chill for 10–15 minutes for extra flavor.

Notes

Meal prep tip: For the freshest color, add avocado and dressing right before serving.

To reduce browning: Press plastic wrap directly onto the salad surface and store airtight.

Swaps: Use rotisserie chicken for speed; swap cilantro for parsley if preferred.

Serving ideas: Great in lettuce cups, wraps, on toast, or with tortilla chips.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Salad , Lunch
  • Method: No-cook / Mix
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
  • Calories: 309 kcal
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 347 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 3 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 5 g
  • Protein: 23 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg

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