Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad (Print Version)

Grilled chicken breast paired with a smooth avocado ranch dressing and fresh vegetables for a refreshing, protein-packed meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1 lb 2 oz)
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 as needed

→ 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 Make:

01 - Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and pepper, ensuring even coating.
02 - Cook chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side, or 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 - In a blender or food processor, combine avocado, Greek yogurt, mayonnaise, lime juice, chives, parsley, dill, garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Blend until smooth, adding water gradually as needed to achieve desired consistency.
04 - In a large bowl, combine salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and celery.
05 - Add warm or cooled chicken chunks to the salad and pour avocado ranch dressing over the mixture. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
06 - Divide among serving bowls and serve immediately, garnishing with fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The avocado ranch tastes indulgent but sneaks in healthy fats and Greek yogurt.
  • It comes together in 30 minutes, perfect for those nights when you need real food fast.
  • Leftovers actually get better as the flavors meld overnight in the fridge.
  • You can serve it over greens, in a wrap, or straight from the bowl with a fork.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting time for the chicken, cutting it too soon releases all the juices and leaves it dry.
  • If your avocado is too firm, the dressing will be lumpy no matter how long you blend it.
  • Taste the dressing before you pour it over the salad, you might want more lime or salt depending on your avocado's flavor.
  • Add the dressing just before serving or it will wilt the greens and make everything soggy.
03 -
  • Chill the serving bowl in the fridge for 10 minutes before assembling, it keeps everything crisp on warm days.
  • If the dressing is too thick the next day, whisk in a teaspoon of water or lime juice to loosen it up.
  • Double the dressing recipe and use the extra as a dip for veggies or a spread for sandwiches.
  • For meal prep, cook the chicken and make the dressing on Sunday, then assemble fresh salads each morning in under five minutes.
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