Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad (Printer-Friendly)

Grilled chicken breast with creamy avocado ranch dressing, fresh vegetables, and mixed greens. Ready in 30 minutes.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1 pound 2 ounces)
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 evenly with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
02 - Cook chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from heat 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 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 mixture and pour avocado ranch dressing over top. Toss gently until all ingredients are evenly coated.
06 - Transfer to serving plates immediately and garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The avocado ranch dressing is silky and tangy without feeling heavy or overly rich.
  • It comes together in under half an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
  • Fresh herbs and crunchy vegetables add layers of texture and brightness in every forkful.
  • You can serve it over greens, in a wrap, or straight from the bowl with crackers.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting time for the chicken or it will dry out when you cut it, releasing all its juices onto the cutting board instead of staying in the meat.
  • Add the water to the dressing gradually because avocados vary in moisture content, and you can always thin it more but you can't thicken it back up easily.
  • If you're meal prepping, store the dressing separately and toss it with the salad just before eating so the greens stay crisp.
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken reaches 165 degrees so you never have to guess if it's done.
  • Taste the dressing before you toss it with the salad and adjust the lime, salt, or herbs to match your preferences.
  • If you want the salad to feel more like a meal, serve it with toasted pita, tortilla chips, or a side of warm crusty bread.
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