Avocado Lime Cilantro Chicken Salad (Printable)
Juicy chicken, avocado, lime, and cilantro come together in a vibrant, fresh salad for a satisfying, wholesome meal.
# Components:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 14 ounces)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
→ Salad Base
07 - 2 ripe avocados, diced
08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
10 - 1/2 English cucumber, diced
11 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
→ Dressing
12 - Juice of 2 limes
13 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
14 - 1 garlic clove, minced
15 - 1/2 teaspoon honey (optional)
16 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
17 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
# Directions:
01 - Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
02 - Coat chicken breasts evenly with olive oil, salt, black pepper, ground cumin, and smoked paprika.
03 - Grill the chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear. Remove from heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes. Dice into bite-sized pieces.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine diced avocados, halved cherry tomatoes, finely diced red onion, diced cucumber, and chopped cilantro.
05 - In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, honey if using, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
06 - Add diced chicken to the prepared salad base. Pour dressing over the mixture and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
07 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra chopped cilantro if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Full of vibrant, fresh ingredients for maximum flavor
- Naturally gluten-free and low carb with no major allergens
- Quick to prepare for easy weeknight meals or meal prep
- So versatile for lunches, picnics, or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish
02 -
- Loaded with healthy fats from avocado and lean protein from chicken
- Resists sogginess so leftovers taste great the next day
- Even picky eaters are drawn in by these colorful fresh flavors
03 -
- Let the chicken rest after grilling to keep it juicy
- Dice avocado right before mixing so it stays green
- Emulsify dressings by whisking briskly for creamy results