Avocado Herb Chicken Salad (Printable)

A fresh, protein-rich salad featuring avocado, chicken, herbs, and crisp lettuce cups.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded (about 2 medium breasts)

→ Vegetables & Herbs

02 - 1 large ripe avocado, diced
03 - 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
04 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
05 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped

→ Dressing

07 - 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt or mayonnaise for dairy-free option
08 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Assembly

12 - 8 large butter lettuce leaves or romaine hearts
13 - Cherry tomatoes, halved, for optional garnish

# How To:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, diced avocado, celery, red onion, parsley, and dill.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
03 - Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.
04 - Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as needed.
05 - Spoon the chicken salad evenly into the lettuce leaves to form cups.
06 - Garnish with cherry tomato halves if desired and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes fancy enough for lunch guests but comes together in the time it takes to boil water, which means you'll actually make it on a Tuesday.
  • The avocado keeps everything creamy without heavy mayonnaise, so you feel lighter afterward instead of needing a nap.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and low-carb, but you won't notice you're being healthy because you're too busy enjoying crispy lettuce, tender chicken, and bright herb flavors.
02 -
  • Avocado browns quickly once it's cut, so dice it last and squeeze lemon juice on it as soon as it hits the bowl, or prepare it and assemble the salad only when you're ready to serve or pack it.
  • Taste the lettuce before you start because some outer leaves turn bitter, and a crisp, slightly sweet leaf makes all the difference between a salad you love and one you tolerate.
  • The dressing amount matters less than achieving the right coat, so start with all of it but know you can adjust if you prefer something drier or creamier.
03 -
  • If you're making these for a crowd, set up a self-serve assembly station where people build their own cups, which somehow makes everyone feel invested in the meal and guarantees they eat something they actually enjoy.
  • Use rotisserie chicken from the grocery store and you cut prep time in half, leaving you more energy for chopping herbs and making this feel homemade rather than hurried.
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