This Cilantro Lime Avocado Chicken Salad is a recipe I really like, and I make it a lot, especially when it’s warm outside.
It’s great for a light lunch, a fast dinner, or you can even put it in wraps or lettuce cups.
The best part is how the creamy avocado mixes with the fresh cilantro and lime flavors. It’s super tasty!
Recipe Overview
This chicken salad is a fun change from the usual kind.
We use ripe avocados instead of a lot of mayonnaise to make it creamy and healthy. The cilantro and lime juice make it taste fresh and a little sour. That makes the whole dish even better.
You can eat it by itself, with crackers, on toast, in a sandwich, or even in bell peppers.
You can also add a tiny bit of chili powder if you want it spicy.
It’s easy to change it up to make it just how you like it.
Ingredients for Cilantro Lime Avocado Chicken Salad
- 2 cups of cooked chicken, cut into small pieces (rotisserie chicken is great!)
- 2 ripe avocados, take out the pit and mash them
- 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons of lime juice (fresh is best!)
- 1/4 cup of finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt (or more, if you like)
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper (or more, if you like)
- Optional: 1/4 cup of chopped celery if you want it crunchy.
You can use any leftover cooked chicken. Chicken that you baked, grilled, or even boiled is good. If you don’t have much time, a chicken from the store that’s already cooked is a big help.
Make sure your avocados are soft. They should be easy to press with your finger.
If you don’t have a red onion, you can use a sweet onion or even some chopped green onions.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- First, get your cooked chicken. If it’s leftover chicken, make sure it’s not hot. Pull it apart into small pieces with two forks, or cut it with a knife.
- In a medium bowl, mash the avocados. I like to keep them a little chunky, but you can mash them until they’re smooth. A fork is good for this.
- Put the shredded chicken in the bowl with the mashed avocado.
- Now, add the chopped cilantro, lime juice, chopped red onion, salt, and pepper. If you’re using celery, add it now too.
- Mix everything together gently. Don’t mix it too much. It’s better if the avocado stays a little chunky.
- Taste it! You might want to add more salt, pepper, or lime juice.
- That’s all! Your Cilantro Lime Avocado Chicken Salad is ready.
Variations & Tips
- Make it spicy: Add a tiny bit of chili powder or a little hot sauce.
- Add crunch: Add some chopped nuts (like almonds or walnuts) to make it crunchy.
- Make it early: You can make this salad a few hours before you eat it. Cover it well and put it in the fridge. The lime juice will help keep the avocado from turning brown.
- Storage: Put leftover chicken salad in a container with a lid in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: You don’t need to heat this salad. It’s best cold or at room temperature.
- Serving Suggestions: Like I said earlier, you can it it with tortilla chips, lettuce wraps, or with bell peppers.
Key Details for Cilantro Lime Avocado Chicken Salad
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 0 minutes (if you use chicken that’s already cooked)
- Total time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 4-6
- Equipment you’ll need: Medium bowl, fork, knife, cutting board
FAQ
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of avocado?
Yes, you can use plain Greek yogurt instead of some or all of the avocado. It will taste a little more sour and be less creamy, but it’s still good. Use about 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt at first, and add more until it’s how you like it.
How can I keep the avocado from turning brown?
The lime juice helps to stop it from turning brown. Cover the salad with plastic wrap, and press it down so it touches the salad. That keeps the air away.
Can I use canned chicken?
Yes, you can use canned chicken. Make sure to drain all the water out before you use it.
What if I don’t like cilantro?
If you don’t like cilantro, use fresh parsley instead. It will taste different, but it will still make the salad taste fresh.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe doesn’t have any gluten, if you serve it with things that don’t have gluten (like gluten-free crackers or lettuce wraps).
Can I add other vegetables?
Of course! You can add other chopped vegetables, like bell peppers, cucumbers, or corn.
Cilantro Lime Avocado Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups of cooked chicken cut into small pieces (rotisserie chicken is great!)
- 2 ripe avocados take out the pit and mash them
- 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons of lime juice fresh is best!
- 1/4 cup of finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 teaspoon of salt or more, if you like
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper or more, if you like
- Optional: 1/4 cup of chopped celery if you want it crunchy.
Instructions
- First, get your cooked chicken. If it's leftover chicken, make sure it's not hot. Pull it apart into small pieces with two forks, or cut it with a knife.
- In a medium bowl, mash the avocados. I like to keep them a little chunky, but you can mash them until they're smooth. A fork is good for this.
- Put the shredded chicken in the bowl with the mashed avocado.
- Now, add the chopped cilantro, lime juice, chopped red onion, salt, and pepper. If you're using celery, add it now too.
- Mix everything together gently. Don't mix it too much. It's better if the avocado stays a little chunky.
- Taste it! You might want to add more salt, pepper, or lime juice.
- That's all! Your Cilantro Lime Avocado Chicken Salad is ready.