Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad (Printable Version)

Tender chicken paired with creamy avocado ranch dressing, fresh vegetables, and herbs for a light, satisfying meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs)
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

# Steps:

01 - Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and pepper on both sides.
02 - Cook chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until cooked through and juices run clear. 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 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 vegetable mixture and pour the avocado ranch dressing over the salad. Toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly.
06 - Transfer to serving plates immediately and garnish with additional fresh herbs if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The avocado ranch dressing is creamy and tangy without feeling heavy or overly rich.
  • It comes together in 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or meal prep.
  • You can customize it endlessly with bacon, cheese, or whatever vegetables you have on hand.
02 -
  • Let the chicken rest after cooking or the juices will run out when you cut it, leaving the meat dry.
  • Add water to the dressing gradually because avocados vary in size and moisture content.
  • If you're making this ahead, keep the dressing separate until serving so the greens stay crisp.
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer to check that the chicken reaches 165 degrees F so you don't have to guess if it's done.
  • Taste the dressing before adding all the water because you might prefer it thicker for coating or thinner for drizzling.
  • If your avocado isn't quite ripe, let it sit on the counter for a day or two before making the dressing.
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