Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad (Printable Version)

Tender chicken tossed with creamy avocado ranch dressing, crisp vegetables, and fresh herbs in one delicious bowl.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1.1 lbs)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Avocado Ranch Dressing

05 - 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
06 - 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
07 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
10 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped or 1 teaspoon dried dill
12 - 1 garlic clove, minced
13 - 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
14 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
16 - 2 to 3 tablespoons water for thinning

→ Salad

17 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
18 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
19 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
20 - 1/2 cup celery, diced
21 - 4 cups mixed salad greens or romaine, chopped

# How-To:

01 - Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Rub chicken breasts generously with olive oil, salt, and pepper on all sides.
02 - Cook chicken breasts for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes, then cut into 1-inch chunks.
03 - While chicken cooks, combine avocado, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, chives, parsley, dill, garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper in a blender or food processor. Blend until smooth, adding water gradually as needed to achieve desired consistency.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and celery.
05 - Add warm or cooled chicken chunks to the salad bowl. Pour avocado ranch dressing over the mixture and toss gently until all components are evenly coated.
06 - Divide salad among serving plates and garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The avocado ranch is so creamy you won't believe there's yogurt hiding in there instead of heavy cream.
  • It uses up leftover chicken or anything you've grilled ahead, turning it into something that feels brand new.
  • You can eat it straight from the bowl, pile it on toast, or serve it over greens without changing a thing.
  • It's one of those recipes that tastes indulgent but leaves you feeling light and energized after lunch.
02 -
  • Don't skip letting the chicken rest after cooking or it'll dry out the second you slice into it.
  • Blend the dressing until it's completely smooth, because any avocado chunks will make the texture weird when you toss it.
  • If you're making this ahead, keep the dressing separate and toss it right before serving so the greens don't wilt.
  • Taste the dressing before you pour it over everything, because avocados vary in richness and you might need a pinch more salt or lime.
03 -
  • If your avocado isn't quite ripe enough, microwave it for 10 seconds to soften it just a little.
  • Add the dressing while the chicken is still slightly warm so it soaks into the meat and makes every bite more flavorful.
  • Double the dressing recipe and keep the extra in a jar, it's incredible on grain bowls, wraps, or as a dip for veggies.
  • For a heartier meal, serve this over quinoa or wild rice instead of greens.
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