Chicken salad is a delicious and wholesome meal made with
tender chicken, crisp vegetables and health-enhancing fats. When you
incorporate avocado into your chicken salad, apart from changing the texture and
adding taste to the meal, you are also adding important nutrients such as
vitamins, minerals and monounsaturated fats. In this guide, you will find
out how to cook a tasty and healthy chicken salad with avocado with the help of
easy instructions and available ingredients.
Ingredients You Will Need
To make this healthy chicken salad, gather the following
ingredients:
2 cups of cooked chicken – sliced or torn into bite-size
pieces
1 perfectly ripe avocado (skin removed, seed removed and
diced).
1/2 cup of plain low-fat or non-fat Greek yogurt
1 cup of mixed greens will include Spinach, Arugula, or
Kale.
1/4 cup of diced red onion
1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup of diced cucumber
Add 1/4 cup of fresh cilantro or parsley which is chopped.
1 tablespoon of fresh lemon or lime juice extra
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional toppings: peanuts, almonds, a spoonful of sunflower
seeds, or olive oil.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
If you don’t have pre-cooked chicken, you can prepare it
easily at home if you have the ingredients. Here’s how:
i. Boil or bake the chicken: To fry, put chicken breasts in
a pan and cook on medium heat for almost 15-20 minutes or until done. To
bake, season the chicken with a little salt and pepper, put it on a baking tray
and bake in the oven at 375°F (190°C), for about 20-25 minutes.
ii. After the chicken has cooked let it sit for a few
minutes then remove it from the pan and using two forks shred it or chop it
into bite size pieces.
Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables and Avocado
i. Rinse the mixed greens, the tomatoes, and cucumber and
pat them dry.
ii. Slice enough cucumbers and cut the cherry tomatoes into two
halves.
iii. Remove the skin, and cut the ripe avocado into cubes.
To get the best out of this recipe, ask for a ripe avocado but not a fully
squishy one.
Step 3: Make the Dressing
i. In a small bowl mix together the yogurt, the juice of the
lemon or lime and a pinch of the salt and pepper.
ii. Blend properly until the texture is smooth and creamy.
If it seems too thick, you can thicken it up by adding a teaspoon of water if
necessary.
Step 4: Combine the Ingredients
i. Add in a large bowl, the chicken, avocado, red onion,
cherry tomatoes, cucumber and mixed greens.
ii. Combine the prepared yogurt dressing and mix gently all
the ingredients until all the items are well coated.
Step 5: Add Final Touches
i. Add chopped fresh cilantro or parsley on top of the salad
to give the salad an added fresh taste.
ii. For topping you can also put some nuts like almonds,
walnuts or some seeds such as sunflower seeds or chia seeds to make the bar
crunchy and healthy.
iii. For additional creaminess if you so wish, just trickle
a little olive oil over the salad.
Tips for Success
i. Use fresh ingredients: When choosing your vegetables and
herbs always make sure you are using fresh produce so that the salads taste
okay, and have the right feel when you are eating them.
ii. Choose the right avocado: A ripe avocado is important in
order to achieve a creamy consistency with little need to use much dressing.
iii. Customize your salad: You can also insert other
vegetables such as green bell peppers, shredded carrots or even celery to boost the flavors and the texture.
iv. Meal prep: It is advised that the chicken and vegetables
should be prepared prior to the needed time so that it would be easier to
assemble, especially during weekdays.
Serving Suggestions
i. As a Main Dish: This salad is quite hearty and you could
almost consider it a meal on its own. Enjoy it with a piece of whole grain
bread, or even a bowl of soup for a heavy lunch or dinner.
ii. In a wrap: Enjoy the salad on whole-grain tortilla or
lettuce wraps if you intend to take it on the go.
iii. On its own: It is best served in a large bowl and is
perfect for the hot weather during summer.
Conclusion
Preparing a healthy chicken salad with avocado is easy, fast
and tasty. Because of the consistency of the sauce and full-bodied colors, this
dish is healthy and tasty to the palate. This chicken salad is perfect as a
midweek lunch or dinner idea and is perfect for preparing in advance if you
have meal prep Sundays.
