This avocado chicken salad recipe combines tender chicken, creamy avocado, sweet mango, juicy tomatoes, and sweet corn with a fresh lime dressing. It's a healthy chicken salad without mayo that comes together quickly and makes a great lunch, light dinner, or meal prep option.
Why You'll Love Avocado Chicken Salad
- Naturally creamy without mayonnaise.
- Ready in about 15 minutes.
- Packed with protein and fresh ingredients.
- Perfect for lunch, meal prep, or a light dinner.
There was a fruit market near my friend's home in Spain where crates of mangoes, tomatoes, and avocados would sit outside the shop during the warmer months. The colors alone were enough to catch your attention. Vendors would often slice open ripe fruit so people could taste it before buying. That combination of sweet fruit and fresh produce inspired many simple salads at home, especially on days when nobody wanted to spend hours in the kitchen.
Today, this avocado chicken salad recipe is one of my favorite ways to turn cooked chicken into something fresh and satisfying. The avocado creates a naturally creamy texture without mayonnaise, while the mango adds a subtle sweetness that works beautifully with the savory chicken. The lime dressing ties everything together, creating a healthy avocado chicken salad that feels light while still being filling. If you enjoy fresh lunch recipes, you might also like my Chicken Salad Recipe, Rotisserie Chicken Salad, High Protein Cucumber Chicken Salad, or Avocado Pear Salad.
Key Ingredients in Avocado Chicken Salad
You'll find the exact measurements in the recipe card, but here's a closer look at key ingredients and why I use them.
- Chicken, Avocado & Mango: I use cooked chicken breasts because they are lean, flavorful, and perfect for this avocado chicken salad recipe. The avocado brings creaminess, while the mango adds a touch of sweetness that balances the savory ingredients.
- Tomatoes, Onion & Sweet Corn: The cherry tomatoes add freshness and color, the red onion adds a little bite, and the sweet corn contributes texture and natural sweetness.
- Lime Dressing: I use fresh lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, honey, salt, and black pepper. Together, they create a bright dressing that complements every ingredient.
- Fresh Cilantro: A small amount of cilantro adds freshness and brings all the flavors together.
How to Make Avocado Chicken Salad
You can find the complete printable recipe with measurements below, but for now, here's a quick overview of how it goes:
1. Prep the Base: Cut the poached chicken into small pieces and place it in a large bowl.
2. Add the Mix-ins: Add diced mango and avocado, quartered cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and drained sweetcorn.
3. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk cilantro, lime juice, extra virgin olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper until smooth.
4. Dress and Toss: Drizzle the dressing over the salad and mix gently until everything is evenly coated.
Avocado Chicken Salad Without Mayo
One reason this avocado chicken salad stands out is that it doesn't rely on mayonnaise. The avocado provides plenty of creaminess while keeping the salad fresh and vibrant. Combined with olive oil and lime juice, it creates a dressing that coats every ingredient beautifully.
Many people search for a healthy avocado chicken salad because they want something lighter than traditional chicken salad. This version delivers plenty of flavor while keeping the ingredient list simple and fresh.
Helpful Swaps
- Replace the mango with diced pineapple.
- Swap cilantro for fresh parsley.
- Use rotisserie chicken instead of cooked chicken breasts.
Tips for the Best Avocado Chicken Salad
Chill the Mango Before Using: I like keeping the mango in the fridge for a few hours before making the salad. The cold fruit makes the salad extra refreshing, especially during warmer months.
Don't Slice the Onion Too Early: If the onion sits cut for too long, it can become stronger in flavor. I find slicing it just before assembling the salad keeps the taste fresher and more balanced.
Let the Salad Sit Briefly Before Serving: Even though this salad can be served straight away, I like letting it sit for 10 minutes after mixing. It gives the lime dressing time to coat all the ingredients and helps the flavors come together.
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. The avocado will soften over time, so the salad is best enjoyed fresh.
Try These Salad Recipes Next!
Recipe
Avocado Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts - cooked and chopped
- 1 ripe mango - diced
- 1 ripe avocado - ciced
- 200 g cherry tomatoes - quartered
- 1 medium red onion - thinly sliced
- 150 g sweet corn
For Dressing
- 2 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
- 60 ml fresh lime juice
- 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a large bowl, add 2 cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts, chopped, 1 diced mango, 1 diced avocado, 1½ cups (200 g) cherry tomatoes, quartered, 1 red onion, thinly sliced, and 1 cup (150 g) sweet corn kernels.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, ¼ cup (60 ml) lime juice, 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper until well combined.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat all the ingredients evenly.
- Serve immediately for the freshest flavor, or chill for 15-20 minutes before serving.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
I was blown away by this avocado chicken salad. It's incredibly flavorful and surprisingly easy to make. The combination of textures and flavors is simply divine.