Avocado Chicken Salad

Can I be real with you? I like mayo. I grew up in Wisconsin and we use to dip our french fries in it. We would put it in and on everything and use it as the base for a dressing. (you know like in Broccoli Salad) So when y’all asked me for a mayo-free Chicken Salad Recipe I was like …. whaaaat? Why?

But, because I love you, I created a chicken salad recipe that’s just for you. This recipe uses creamy avocado instead of mayo and a few other items to make a flavor packed chicken salad that’s healthy and delicious!

Why You’ll Love This Avocado Chicken Salad

• Creamy Avocado Base: Avocado provides a rich, velvety texture and adds heart-healthy fats.
• Flexible: Whether it’s a quick rotisserie chicken or freshly grilled, you can use different kinds of cooked chicken in this recipe. Enjoy it as a salad, sandwich filling, or wrap for a variety of meal options.
• Crunch Factor: Celery and red onion add the perfect crisp texture in every bite.
• Flavorful: Basil and lemon juice elevate this chicken salad with a fragrant, lemony aroma while cumin and garlic add extra flavor.
• Quick & Simple: Easy to prepare with minimal ingredients, making it a great go-to week day recipe.

What You’ll Need

• Cooked Chicken – If you want an easy button, definitely just use a store bough rotisserie chicken. However, if you want more added flavor I recommend pan searing it or grilling it. Let it cool them shred.
• Avocado – Instead of using mayonnaise, use mashed avocado to add creaminess to your chicken salad.
• Dijon Mustard – The mustard gives your chicken salad a nice tangy mustard taste, add more if you want a stronger mustard flavor.
• Lemon Juice – A little lemon juice never hurt anyone, in fact the acid in the lemon hurts keep the avocado green longer and gives it more flavor.
• Onions – I use red onion because it’s a little sweeter.
• Celery – Normally, I’m not a fan of celery but I think it adds a nice crunch.
• Basil – Fresh herbs always help elevate a dish and the lemony basil compliments all the flavors in this chicken salad.
• Spices – I use cumin, garlic powder, salt and pepper to season this chicken salad.

How to Shred the Chicken – Use a Stand Mixer!

Hands down, the best and easiest way to shred cooked chicken for chicken salad is in a stand mixer. I know it sounds weird but trust me, it will rock your world.

1. Add cooked chicken to a stand mix with paddle attachment.
2. Turn mixer on to medium and let mix for 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Voila – your chicken is shredded and you didn’t have to touch it!

How to Make Avocado Chicken Salad

Making this chicken salad recipe only takes a few minutes and results in a satisfying, high-protein salad that’s paleo friendly, low carb and gluten free. To make avocado chicken salad follow these steps:

1. Season both sides of chicken breast with salt and pepper.
2. Heat a large skillet to medium high heat. Add in avocado oil and seasoned chicken breast.
3. Cook chicken breast for 4-6 minutes per side, or until chicken is no longer pink.
4. Remove from heat and let cool for 10 minutes. Shred chicken breast.
5. Add shredded chicken breast to a large bowl along with mashed avocado, celery, red onion,  dijon mustard, lemon juice, basil, cumin and garlic powder. Using a spoon, mix everything together until well combined. Serve.

Ways to Eat It

Honestly, I think it depends on what you like or what your dietary needs require. Here are a couple of ideas of how to eat chicken salad:

• Lettuce Cup – add a scoop of chicken salad to your lettuce cup and eat it like a taco
• Bread or Pita– use it on top of toasted or plain bread and pita.
• Apple Slices – instead of bread, serve chicken salad on apple slices
• Cucumber Slices – add chicken salad to a bowl and use cucumber slices as a chip or cracker
• Tomato – serve chicken salad inside a hollowed out tomato or on top of tomato slices
• Crackers – enjoy scoops of the chicken salad with crackers
• Plain – eat your avocado chicken salad straight from the container. It is tasty enough to do this!

What Goes with Avocado Chicken Salad?

Looking for ideas about what to serve with this easy chicken salad? Try some of these recipes:

• Easy Potato Salad with Bacon
• 10 Minute Creamy Cucumber Salad
• Refreshing Tabbouleh Quinoa Salad
• Light Roasted Tomato Caprese Pasta Salad
• Crispy Baked Fries with Garlic Aioli
• Grilled Sweet Potato Salad

How to Store

Store your chicken salad in an air tight container in the refrigerator. It will last from 3 to 5 days. After that it will start to change color and or get soggy. This chicken salad will not freeze well so I recommend eating it in the allotted time frame.