Ingredient Meat & Poultry Chicken Chicken Salad Avocado Chicken Salad 4.8 (6) 5 Reviews This avocado chicken salad is herbaceous, bright and creamy. The blend of cilantro, dill and chives pairs nicely with fresh avocado. Enjoy this easy chicken salad over lettuce, on crackers or in a wrap. By Amanda Stanfield Amanda Stanfield Amanda Stanfield is a Test Kitchen assistant at EatingWell. She completed her undergraduate degree in journalism and strategic communications at Hampton University. After graduation, Amanda worked in the nonprofit sector as a marketing associate for a global nonprofit organization. In 2018, she pivoted into the food industry and began training in fine-dining restaurants around Atlanta. Later she gained her culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University and went on to work in a variety of kitchens from boutique restaurants to conference hotels.As a true foodie, Amanda seeks out nutritious and unique flavors to inspire others to eat happily and healthfully. When she's not cooking up delicious recipes, you can find her lap swimming in the pool or watching a good sci-fi movie. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Updated on July 21, 2024 Reviewed by Dietitian Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD Reviewed by Dietitian Christa Brown, M.S., RDN, LD Christa Brown is a registered dietitian and business owner with a practice focus on diabetes management and content development for brands and fitness influencers. She is a licensed dietitian with a Master of Science in Nutrition Education and a certification in gut health by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines Save Rate PRINT Share Close Credit: Caitlin Bensel Active Time: 15 mins Total Time: 15 mins Servings: 6 Nutrition Profile: Nut-Free Soy-Free High-Protein Gluten-Free Jump to Nutrition Facts Caitlin Bensel Cook Mode (Keep screen awake) Ingredients ½ cup firmly packed fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems ½ cup coarsely chopped fresh chives, plus more for garnish ¼ cup firmly packed fresh dill fronds 1 tablespoon drained capers 1 teaspoon lemon zest, plus more for garnish 1 tablespoon lemon juice 2 cloves garlic ¾ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon ground pepper 2 ripe avocados, halved and pitted, divided ⅓ cup mayonnaise ¼ cup whole-milk plain strained yogurt (such as Greek-style) 3 cups shredded cooked chicken breast Directions Combine ½ cup cilantro, ½ cup chives, ¼ cup dill, 1 tablespoon capers, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 cloves garlic, ¾ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon pepper and the flesh from 1 avocado in a food processor; process until finely chopped, about 30 seconds. Add ⅓ cup mayonnaise and ¼ cup yogurt; process until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Caitlin Bensel Dice the remaining avocado and place in a medium bowl. Add 3 cups chicken and the dressing; stir gently until combined and evenly coated. Serve at room temperature or refrigerate until cold, about 2 hours. Garnish with additional chives and lemon zest, if desired. Frequently Asked Questions Is Avocado Chicken Salad good for you? This salad is loaded with good-for-you healthy fats from the avocado and lean protein from the chicken breast. The chicken also adds B vitamins and choline, a nutrient necessary for a healthy nervous system. Avocado has been linked to a healthier gut, heart and brain thanks to its fiber, healthy fats and powerful plant compounds. Besides adding amazing flavor to this salad, the cilantro, chives and dill also add antioxidants for reducing inflammation. Is this salad gluten-free? None of the ingredients in this salad contain gluten, so yes, it is gluten-free. Can I make Avocado Chicken Salad ahead of time? Absolutely. If you wish, you can cook the chicken ahead of time, which would cut down on the prep time (or you could use a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store). You can also make the entire salad the night before. It should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where it should be good for 3 to 4 days. What should I serve with Avocado Chicken Salad? We think chicken salad pairs exceptionally well with dill pickles, baked chips or air-fryer french fries, and depending on the season and the weather, you could add a warm tomato bisque or chilled gazpacho soup. The chicken salad also goes well with grilled wedge salads and Caesar salad. Set out a fruit salad or a bowl of chilled red and green grapes for a refreshing addition. Is there a substitute for dill fronds? Yes, but replacing fresh dill fronds with another fresh herb may alter the taste, so be sure you like the herb you are choosing. Some fresh herb substitutions include basil, chervil, fennel, rosemary, tarragon and thyme. How do I ripen an avocado quickly? Everyone has their tried-and-true favorite way to speed up the ripening of an avocado. Here are some options you can try: 1. If you have a little time, drop an avocado and apple or banana in a brown paper bag together, which will take maybe 3 or 4 days to ripen. 2. Submerge the avocado in a bowl of flour or rice overnight. 3. Slice an avocado in half, rub the fruit's interior with a slice of lemon or lime, put the slices back together and store it in the fridge overnight. EatingWell.com, May 2022 Save Rate Print Nutrition Facts (per serving) 321 Calories 22g Fat 7g Carbs 24g Protein Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label Nutrition Facts Servings Per Recipe 6 Serving Size about 1/2 cup Calories 321 % Daily Value * Total Carbohydrate 7g 3% Dietary Fiber 5g 18% Total Sugars 1g Protein 24g 48% Total Fat 22g 28% Saturated Fat 4g 20% Cholesterol 66mg 22% Vitamin A 418IU 8% Vitamin C 12mg 13% Vitamin D 4IU 1% Vitamin E 2mg 13% Folate 65mcg 16% Vitamin K 48mcg 40% Sodium 464mg 20% Calcium 40mg 3% Iron 1mg 6% Magnesium 45mg 11% Potassium 553mg 12% Zinc 1mg 9% Omega 3 1g Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate. * Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.) (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs. Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S. Carrie Myers, M.S. Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines and Linda Frahm Linda Frahm Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications. EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines