This Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe has so much flavor and the perfect texture! We swap mayonnaise for fresh avocado, so it’s creamy but light and satisfying. I know, I know classic chicken salad recipes usually have mayo, but you will never miss it!
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Helpful Reader Review
“This salad is always on rotation, my son asks for it and he loves the leftovers for lunch the next day. It really is hearty and yummy!“ – Eva ★★★★★
Easy Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe
This avocado chicken salad recipe is a winner, and it is well-loved by adults and children. Since I first posted the video, it went viral with over 50 million views, making it one of the most popular recipes on my blog. Funny enough, this recipe came about from a craving I had driving home from my night shift back when I worked as a Registered Nurse!
It’s quite a bit different than our classic Chicken Salad, but everything about this is good, from the tender bites of chicken, creamy avocado, sweet corn, and crunchy bacon. Plus, you’ll want that fresh lemon dressing on all of your salads.
My son is particularly smitten with this chicken avocado salad and requests it for his birthday. It was in his top 3 requests, so you can imagine I made it for his birthday and as often as I can throughout the year. By the way, his other two were this Shrimp Dip and Caesar Salad. I love this kid.
Avocado Chicken Salad Video
You’ll love my lighter chicken salad with avocado. It’s just as creamy, flavorful, and filling as using mayo, but this is a dish you’ll feel great about eating often! If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, this chicken salad tastes just as good the next day – perfect for a to-go lunch. You all are always requesting work and school lunch ideas, and I hope you love this one!
Ingredients for Avocado Chicken Salad
This Avocado Chicken Salad has such simple ingredients, and you may already have everything you need to make it (I just love it when that happens)!
- Chicken – shredded or cubed. I use rotisserie or Roast Chicken to make prep easier, but you can also use well-drained canned chicken or Bake Chicken Breasts before shredding or cutting them into bite-sized pieces.
- Avocados – I use two avocados. You’ll want nearly ripe or perfectly ripe avocado for this salad.
- Corn – You’ll need 1 cup, or 1 ear of corn. You can rinse canned corn, cook frozen corn, use Grilled Corn or Boiled Corn. You can also microwave unshucked corn for 3-4 minutes. If you want to keep this salad Paleo, just omit the corn.
- Bacon – I prefer lean cuts of bacon (see how to cook bacon without a mess). If you’re looking to cut fat, I use turkey bacon instead.
- Herbs – Dill and Chives – If you prefer you can swap the dill with cilantro or the chives for green onions
- Dressing ingredients – lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper
- Hard-boiled eggs – Optional, but these add great protein to the salad. Peel, cut, or quarter, and then add to the salad ingredients.
Substitutions/ Variations
We love this just as it is, but you can use these easy substitutions to make it your own.
- Protein – omit the chicken or swap with hard-boiled eggs, leftover shrimp, or chickpeas
- Veggies – swap the corn or add other seasonal veggies like tomatoes, cucumbers, or red peppers
- Pasta – Try mixing in a cup of bowtie pasta or any small-shaped pasta.
- Add heat – chop jalapeno or add a shake of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
Helpful Reader Review
“Stellar recipe!! Used turkey bacon for the first time ever and could NOT tell a difference, thanks for the tip! Also used a cup of frozen corn and just heated It up in pan until it got a little char to it. D-E-L-I-S-H😋” – Sam ★★★★★
How to Make Avocado Chicken Salad
- Dice or shred two chicken breasts or 2 cups of rotisserie chicken into a mixing bowl.
- Peel and dice avocado into bite-sized pieces. Careful! I’ve met too many people with avocado-cutting injuries. Add the pieces to the bowl.
- Add the corn, onion, bacon, and dill to the bowl.
- Mix the dressing ingredients in a small bowl and then pour over the salad ingredients. Toss to combine. Add the hard-boiled egg if using, but don’t stir too vigorously after adding them.
How to Serve Avocado Chicken Salad
This avocado chicken salad is deliciously versatile. It is a protein-packed salad so it’s perfect for work lunch or meal prep and the lemon keeps it fresh and vibrant. Serve this chicken salad:
- As a main course salad alongside crusty Sourdough Bread
- In Croissants, Pita Bread, Hamburger Buns, Tortillas, or Sourdough Dinner Rolls
- Or scooped up with Pita Chips or Sourdough Crackers
- In lettuce cups for chicken salad lettuce wraps
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
This is a great salad to Make-Ahead because it tastes even better once the flavors meld the next day.
- Make-Ahead: If you know you won’t be serving it immediately, wait to cut and add the avocado until right before serving. Mix the salad and cover. Refrigerate overnight or until ready to serve.
- To Refrigerate: Cover leftovers with plastic wrap directly over the surface of the salad. This will help to slow the browning of the avocados. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.
This Avocado Chicken Salad recipe is one of my (and my son’s) very favorite salad recipes; seriously tasty and easy, hearty but feel-good food at the same time. It’s a win-win-win! Try this easy chicken salad today.
Avocado Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Avocado Chicken Salad Ingredients:
- 2 large cooked chicken breasts, shredded or chopped
- 2 large avocados
- 1 cup corn, from 1 cooked cob
- 6 oz lean bacon, cooked and chopped
- 1/4 cup Chives , (or green onion), chopped
- 2 Tbsp Dill, chopped, or to taste
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, Optional, halved or quartered
Lemon Dressing:
- 3 Tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp sea salt, or to taste
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Dice or shred the 2 large cooked chicken breasts and place them into a large mixing bowl.
- Peel and pit 2 large avocados, slice into bite-sized pieces and add to the mixing bowl.
- Add 1 cup of cooked corn (freshly cooked corn is best), toss in chopped green onion, chopped bacon, and fresh Dill.
- Make the dressing – add the ingredients in a small bowl and stir to combine. Drizzle the dressing over your salad and toss to combine. Serve with slices of hard-boiled egg if desired.
Notes
**For a healthier salad, you can use uncured turkey bacon which tastes amazing but has less fat. Make-ahead – Mix all the ingredients except the avocado and hard-boiled egg. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. Add the avocado and egg just before serving. Storage – To store leftovers, cover the dish with plastic wrap, ensuring the wrap is touching to top of the salad to slow the browning of the avocado pieces. Store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
More Easy Salad Recipes
- Asian Chopped Salad
- Maroulosalata – Greek Lettuce Salad
- Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad
- Taco Salad
- Classic Tuna Salad
- Caesar Salad
- Creamy Cucumber Salad
Hi Natasha !
Your recipes are great especially the salads . I have observation though. In your nutrition facts portion, may I request please include serving portion sizes. I know that number of serving portion in 1 recipe is already mentioned , but it would help to know the serving portion sizes too.
Im forever grateful that you share good recipes.
More power to you.
Hi Juliet, with this recipe, the serving size is about 1 to 1 1/4 cups. I’m so glad you enjoy our recipes.
How much is one serving? Like one cup?
Hi Amanda, I would say each serving is about 1 cup – maybe 1 1/4 cups.
Natasha, I’m such a fan of yours!!! You are pure magic in your videos and your recipes are delicious.
Avocado chicken salad is among my very favorites! Been making for a few years, it is always a hit!
Thank you for that wonderful compliment! You’re so nice!
OMG this is awesome! Thank you for sharing. I will take this to our next get together with friends and share the recipe and your site. Thank you for your wonderful recipes.
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Shanna!
Hi Natasha!
Guess how many times I have made this recipe this week…THREE! 3 times..
oh my goodness absolutely divine!! I use chicken thighs (cooked in salt water for 15 min), and add slightly more lemon juice and a tad more salt and served it with pita bread…O.M.G.! My family can’t get enough and I’m tired of cleaning the chicken haha SO good!!!
That’s just awesome! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review, Stefi! It sounds like you have a new favorite!
My Burmese family love this salad as I attempted for the first time. It was the best salad according to my sister. Thank you very much for sharing.
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you all enjoyed it!
Hi Natasha!
I was very excited to try this as a cool dinner after a hot day in Texas. I’m almost positive the issues are of my own doing- rotisserie chicken breast, bacon, lime juice and salt in the dressing made for a salty salad. I plan to use lemon juice and cook my own chicken next time and maybe wait on the salt in the dressing until everything is mixed up. I enjoy you and your recipe videos!
Sounds like a good plan, Michelle. I hope you’ll love every recipe that you will try!
Hi Natasha!
Thanks for sharing this recipe! I made it exactly as you and it’s so good! I was wondering though, what is the serving size?
Hi Stephanie! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! The serving size can usually be found in the recipe card; click on Jump to recipe when you are at the recipe link. I hope that helps. This recipe serves 6 as a side dish.
Love all your recipes
You’re so nice! Thank you!
Hubby and I loved this one! I have loved all of your recipes I have tried. Have you published a cookbook yet?
I’m happy to hear that! I don’t have a cookbook yet but I am already working on it.
Love all your recipes. I tried alot of them and my family loves them. My 3 picky kids too. LOL
I definitely would also love a Cookbook when it comes out.
Thanks for sharing that with us, Kristine. I’m glad your family loved the recipe! I don’t have a cookbook at the moment but I am already working on it.
I LOVE All your recipes <3
I’m so happy to hear that, Mandy! Thank you for that wonderful review!
Would you know how long can I store in he refrigerator?
I haven’t tried storing this for more than 2-3 days but you can store leftovers by covering chicken avocado salad with plastic wrap directly over the surface of the salad (keeping the air out will prevent browning of the avocados) and refrigerate.
How many days will this keep? I am worried about leaving in the fridge while the avocado turns color.
I haven’t tried string this for more than a few days but to store it – cover chicken avocado salad with plastic wrap directly over the surface of the salad (keeping the air out will prevent browning of the avocados) and refrigerate.
Love this recipe. Fresh and tasty. And very filling too.
Hi Michaela, I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Hi Natasha, I was looking for a chowder recipe and turned you up; your cheerful and clear presentation impressed me, being recently widowed and never having to cook before you are the answer to someone desperate to be fed and not having the skills; looking forward to a long and sucessful following.
Best Wishes Bill P
Thank you, Bill. I’m happy that you found my recipes. I hope that you’ll love all the recipes that you will try!
Hi Natasha, Carmi here waving at you from Philippines. I’ve watched your videos making decadent chocolate cake and it turns out really delicous when i made it, my family loves it and it was so so good. Now i started to fall inlove with all your recipe trying better soon. I would love also reading your blogs about cooking and you really inspires me a lot!! thanks for sharing your best recipe in the whole world. I already subscribed your youtube channel follows all your Best recipe. Thanks a lot hugs and kisses.
Hello Carmi, so nice to hear from you and thank you so much for your support. So good to know that my videos and recipes inspire you to learn more about cooking. I hope you’ll love every recipe that you will try!
Since I started watching your videos I get excited making a different recipe almost every day and of course making my husband very happy. I have made lots of your dishes and they had come out delicious! I enjoy watching you, you make things look easy and delicious and very enjoyable 🥰
Hi Lillian, I am very happy to hear that! Thank you so much for trusting my recipes, I hope you’ll love all the recipes that you will try.
Hi Natasha love your chicken salad is it good when you are on a diet
Yes, so healthy and delicious at the same time. You won’t feel like you’re on a diet!
No esperola hora para preparar esta divertida ensalada de pollo y aguacate ¡¡¡¡ …sera parte de mi menu para deleitar a mi familia , gracias Natasha,disfruto aprender contigo
Hi Mara, I hope your family loves this recipe!
Hi Natasha thanks so much for your Recipes. Your salads are amazing. you are amazing person. I enjoy watching your Recipes. thanks so much.
You’re welcome, Maureen! I’m so glad you’re enjoying these recipes too!
This was a surprise hit. So flavorful. I didn’t have fresh corn and had to sub for frozen but was still great. When I tasted the dressing, I thought it would be bitter and too lemony but when tossed, it was so flavorful and bright. Love, love, love.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Stefanie!
Hi Natasha! This is my forever go to recipe for a quick dinner cos my daughter loves this as much as we do! Quick question, for the national facts, what is the serving size considered.. 1 cup?
Nutritional I mean! Auto correct!
Nutritional I meant.. not national! So much for auto correct 😛
Hi, I would say each serving is about 1 cup – maybe 1 1/4 cups.