Creamy chunks of avocado are combined with tender pieces of chicken in a fresh and slightly spicy dressing to make this Avocado Chicken Salad.
Avocado enthusiasts will love this dish but even if you’re not wild about the creamy green fruit, I encourage you to give this recipe a try. My family hasn’t always loved avocados, but they went crazy over this chicken salad recipe.
After my boys decided they loved guacamole a few years ago, the Roasted Garlic and Bacon Guacamole and the Pomegranate Guacamole have been on regular rotation.
(Side note, don’t knock that Pomegranate Guacamole until you’ve tried it, my friends. It’s incredible!)
We almost always have avocados in the house these days, because I buy as many as possible every time they’re on sale. I do my best to use them before they are overly ripe, but occasionally we wind up with several ripe avocados that need to be used asap.
There are worse problems to have than an overabundance of avocados, right? Whenever this happens, I take the opportunity to do what I do best: have some fun getting creative in the kitchen.
This Avocado Chicken Salad was the fortunate result of having a few too many avocados in the house along with a rotisserie chicken that was begging to be made into a salad for sandwiches.
When we tried Avocado Chicken Salad for the first time, we couldn’t believe how great it turned out!
Everyone in my family opted to eat their chicken salad in a different way, so we can vouch that it’s delicious however you consume it.
My boys enjoyed Avocado Chicken Salad on top of toasted slices of sourdough bread. I ate my chicken salad with a handful of multi-grain crackers and Sean opted for eating it lettuce wrap style.
The Avocado Chicken Salad would also be tasty in a wrap or on top of a garden salad. Another time we made this recipe, we ate it layered in between a couple slices of bread for more traditional chicken salad sandwiches.
How To Make Avocado Chicken Salad
To make this recipe, combine bite-size pieces of chicken and avocado in a medium size mixing bowl. Stir together mayonnaise, Cholula or other hot sauce of choice, salt, pepper, and fresh lime juice. That’s it!
I love to serve this Avocado Chicken Salad with a little chopped cilantro on top. The herb adds a wonderful fresh flavor that goes well with the spice and creaminess in the recipe. If you’re not a cilantro fan, parsley is also a wonderful garnish.
The hot sauce is optional, however it adds a depth of flavor and very little heat. I highly recommend trying it. The lime juice and the hot sauce combine for a terrific flavor combination.
Chicken Salad Recipes
Chicken salads are one of our go-to lunch options around here. They’re delicious, versatile, easy to make and a great use for leftover cooked chicken or store-bought rotisserie chicken.
I often find myself making these recipes on hot summer days when I want to cook a homemade meal without turning on the stove or oven.
If you like this Avocado Chicken Salad recipe, you might also enjoy 5 Minute Ranch Chicken Salad. It’s one of my most frequently eaten fast and easy lunch recipes and I love it as a chicken salad sandwich, in a wrap or eaten a top of a garden salad of fresh raw veggies. It would also be a fantastic hearty dip for raw veggies!
Then there’s Cashew Chicken Salad, a recipe I created when I had a craving for a certain chicken salad served at a favorite restaurant. It has sweet juicy red grapes, crunchy roasted cashews and a little lemon juice that gives the chicken salad a bright tangy flavor.
Another of my favorites is this Chicken Salad Wrap. Eaten on a homemade or store bought tortilla and with plenty of tang, it’s a great option for a packed lunch, picnic or quick meal at home.
For chicken salads without mayonnaise or other creamy dressings, check out Chinese Chicken Salad with Ginger Sesame Dressing and Fuji Apple Chicken Salad.
Avocado Recipes
For more avocado recipes you might enjoy, check out this Bacon, Bleu Cheese, and Shrimp Chopped Salad, and this Fresh Corn Dip with Avocado and Bacon. This Avocado Cream Sauce is a favorite for dipping grilled chicken or for topping burgers.
For an avocado centered dinner idea, how about Taco Stuffed Avocados with Chipotle Cream? or these Low Carb Spicy Tuna Stuffed Avocados?
How to Tell if Avocados are Ripe
If you don’t buy a lot of avocados, it can be tricky to figure out which ones to select from the produce bin.
If you’ll be eating or using the avocados in a recipe the same day, aim to buy them ripe. If you won’t be using them for a couple of days, look for avocados that are not yet at peak ripeness. A ripe avocado can become overly ripe within as little as a day!
A ripe avocado will be a little firm but yield when gently squeezed. Under-ripened avocados are rock hard while overly ripe avocados will feel soft and mushy. If you buy avocados that aren’t yet ripe, simply leave them on the countertop for a few days or until they ripen.
Rotisserie Chicken Recipes
Who doesn’t love rotisserie chicken? Tender and savory and conveniently available at many grocery stores, rotisserie chicken is such a great starter for lots of quick and easy meals.
You can use any cooked chicken for this chicken salad recipe, but I happened to have rotisserie chicken on hand and it worked like a dream.
For more ways to use rotisserie chicken, check out Southwest Chicken Salad, BBQ Chicken Nachos and Strawberry Chicken Salad with Warm Vinaigrette.
Kitchen Tip: I use this knife and this bowl to make this recipe.
{originally published 6/25/18 – recipe notes and photos updated 2/12/21}
Carolyn says
I could honestly eat this for breakfast right now!
Joannie C says
Absolutely delicious!!!! Great way to use up leftover grilled chicken breasts. Super easy and so versatile! Thank you.
Joannie C says
I forgot the 5 star rating!
Lynn Maples says
I’m a diabetic and need the nutritional values of recipes. Can you provide for this?
Alisha Ross says
I was just wondering what to make for dinner tomorrow night…problem solved….the clincher was the cut up carrots….I had just cleaned out my pantry and found a can of pinto beans and one of white beans..so was a no–brainer…but I like the idea of the carrots…also the olives…never have used it in chili before, so will be a new experience…
Laura says
This was delicious and satisfying
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the chicken salad, Laura!
Rose Martine says
I so enjoy your site and your recipes. Would you please consider adding a print option so we can enjoy your recipes a little more easily. Thank you.
Mary Younkin says
Hi Rose, there is a handy print option in each recipe card on this website. Happy cooking!
Catherine Hall says
Absolutely delicious recipe. I omitted the hot sauce and mixed some curry powder into the mayonnaise instead – worked for me. Another winner from you, thanks so much!!!
I am also a great lover of avocados and always have them in the kitchen. Recently I found myself with a few too many ready to eat all at once. Decided to search for an avocado soup recipe – didn’t even know if there was such a thing – and found a recipe for Crema de Aguacate on a site called MyColombianrecipes.com It is amazing!!! So simple to make and absolutely delicious. Hope you try it 😊
Mary Younkin says
I am so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Catherine!
Hannah Flack says
Ever since I went vegan I’ve been having a hard time. My sister sent me your blog this morning and somehow everything looks so much easier! I can’t wait to try your recipes!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like the chicken salad, Hannah!
Hannah Flack says
I made this yesterday and it was a hit. I will definitely make again and again!
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Hannah!
HH says
This was great! Really enjoyed it. Can’t wait for leftovers tomorrow! 🙂

Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled that you like the salad!
Sara says
Brought it last nite for a girls socially distant birthday party!!! Everyone loved it. Put some fresh tomatoes from our garden on top of it.
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the recipe, Sara!
Donna O says
How do you keep the avocados from turning brown once you mix the chicken salad? I am making this over the weekend
Mary Younkin says
That is a tough one Donna. I like to wait and add my avocados right before serving to prevent this from happening.