Healthy No-Mayo Avocado Chicken Salad: Your Quick & Easy Recipe Guide

Welcome to your new favorite go-to recipe for a light, refreshing, and incredibly flavorful meal: this amazing Avocado Chicken Salad. Bursting with wholesome ingredients like tender chicken, creamy avocados, sweet corn, and aromatic fresh dill, this salad is a testament to healthy eating without sacrificing taste. What truly sets it apart is its vibrant lemon dill dressing, which is entirely mayo and sour cream-free, offering a deliciously light and zesty coating that enhances every bite.

This healthy chicken salad is not just packed with flavor and nutrition; it’s also incredibly convenient. You can whip it up in under 10 minutes, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights or a quick, satisfying lunch. With its generous protein content and an explosion of fresh tastes, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your kitchen, especially when you need a delicious meal in a pinch! If you love easy and delicious recipes, be sure to explore my Pesto Tortellini Pasta Salad, Sesame Noodles Recipe, and Avocado Chicken Wraps for more inspiration.

Why This Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe Works So Well

This avocado chicken salad stands out from traditional versions, offering a healthier, fresher alternative that doesn’t compromise on taste or satisfaction. Here’s why you’ll love making this recipe again and again:

• Incredibly Light and Refreshing: Unlike many heavy, mayo-based chicken salads, this healthy avocado chicken salad is exceptionally light and invigorating. The combination of creamy fresh avocados, crisp green onion, and fragrant fresh dill creates a wonderfully balanced flavor profile. This is perfectly complemented by our bright, zesty lemon dill dressing, which coats the salad beautifully without adding unnecessary richness. The result is a salad that is both flavorful and simple, making it a fantastic low-carb option for any lunch or dinner, leaving you feeling energized, not weighed down.
• Versatile and Effortlessly Easy: Time is precious, and this recipe respects that, coming together in less than 10 minutes with just a handful of simple ingredients. It’s designed for maximum convenience and flexibility. Whether you prefer to enjoy it plain, piled high on a sandwich, nestled in crisp lettuce wraps, or tucked into a hearty tortilla, this avocado chicken salad adapts to your craving. It’s equally brilliant as a satisfying main course or a vibrant side dish, proving that healthy eating can also be incredibly easy and adaptable to various dietary preferences and meal prep needs.
• Absolutely Delicious & Family Approved: We’re not just saying it; this avocado corn chicken salad consistently earns rave reviews! My husband’s repeated exclamations of “Wow, this is really good!” during family meals speak volumes. This salad strikes the perfect balance of savory bacon, sweet corn, creamy avocado, and succulent chicken, all brought together by the tangy dressing. It’s so good that both kids and adults will be reaching for seconds, ensuring there are rarely any leftovers. Get ready for a dish that will quickly become a favorite family request!

Essential Ingredient Notes for Your Perfect Salad

Creating the perfect avocado chicken salad begins with selecting and preparing the right ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and some tips for each component:

• Cooked Chicken: The foundation of our salad! You’ll need about 3 cups of cooked chicken, which typically translates to two large chicken breasts. Feel free to shred or cube the chicken based on your preference. For convenience, rotisserie chicken is an excellent time-saver, or you can use well-drained canned chicken. If cooking from scratch, baking, grilling, or boiling boneless, skinless chicken breasts are all great options to yield tender, flavorful chicken.
• Avocados: These provide the wonderful creamy texture and a boost of healthy fats. Aim for 2-3 large, ripe avocados, cut into bite-sized pieces. We personally love avocados and often opt for three to maximize that luscious creaminess and nutritional benefit. When selecting avocados, look for ones that yield slightly to gentle pressure. You can easily cut them by halving them, removing the pit, scoring the flesh, and then scooping it out.
• Frozen Corn: Adding a touch of sweetness and vibrant color, 1 cup of frozen corn (thawed and drained) or canned corn (drained and rinsed) works perfectly. Thawing frozen corn can be done quickly by running it under warm water or simply letting it sit at room temperature for a few minutes.
• Bacon: This ingredient is a game-changer, truly transforming this into a delectable chicken bacon avocado salad! The smoky, savory crunch of 5 oz of cooked and chopped bacon is indispensable. For the best flavor, use real bacon bits rather than imitation. If you’re looking for a shortcut, pre-cooked bacon (like the kind available at Costco) is a fantastic option that saves on prep time without sacrificing taste.
• Fresh Dill: The star herb of our lemon dill dressing! Fresh dill offers an unparalleled bright, herbaceous flavor that dried dill simply can’t match. We recommend 2 tablespoons of freshly chopped dill. If you only have dried dill on hand, you can certainly use it, but start with less (about 1 tablespoon) and add more to taste, as its flavor is more concentrated.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: Essential for our light and refreshing dressing, providing acidity and brightness that perfectly balances the creamy avocado and savory bacon. While fresh lemon juice (3 tablespoons) is always preferred for its vibrant flavor, good quality bottled lemon juice can be used in a pinch. If you have fresh lemons, consider adding a pinch of lemon zest to the dressing for an even more intense citrus aroma. Alternatively, if you prefer, fresh lime juice makes an excellent substitute.
• Olive Oil, Kosher Salt, and Black Pepper: These complete our simple yet effective lemon dressing. Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor, and adjust the kosher salt (1 1/2 teaspoons) and black pepper (1/4 teaspoon) to your personal taste.

Effortless Step-by-Step Instructions

Creating this delicious avocado chicken salad is incredibly straightforward. Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll have a healthy and satisfying meal ready in minutes!

1. Prepare and Combine the Salad Ingredients: Begin by gathering all your main salad components. Shred or cube your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. Cut the ripe avocados into uniform chunks. Cook and chop your bacon if not already done. Thinly slice the green onions and ensure your corn is thawed and well-drained. Once everything is prepared, transfer the chicken, avocados, corn, cooked bacon, green onions, and chopped fresh dill into a large mixing bowl. Toss gently to combine all these wonderful ingredients evenly.
2. Whisk Together the Lemon Dill Chicken Salad Dressing: In a separate, small bowl, prepare the light and zesty dressing. Pour in the fresh lemon juice, olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper. Whisk vigorously until all the ingredients are well combined and the dressing is slightly emulsified. The key to this dressing is its simplicity, allowing the fresh lemon and dill to shine through, providing a perfect counterpoint to the richness of the avocado and bacon.

3. Dress and Serve Your Chicken and Avocado Salad: Once your dressing is ready, pour it evenly over the prepared chicken and avocado salad mixture in the large bowl. Toss everything thoroughly to ensure every piece of chicken, every chunk of avocado, and every kernel of corn is beautifully coated in the bright lemon dill dressing. This step is crucial for both flavor distribution and helping to prevent the avocados from browning. Serve your sensational salad immediately and enjoy it in any way you fancy: as a standalone dish, spooned into crisp lettuce wraps, as a classic sandwich filling on your favorite bread, tucked into a warm pita, served with crunchy tortilla chips for dipping, or elegantly presented on a bed of fresh greens.

Expert Tips & Delicious Variations for Your Salad

Maximize the flavor and freshness of your avocado chicken salad with these helpful tips and creative variations:

General Tips:

• Canned Chicken: If using canned chicken for ultimate convenience, remember to drain it very well to avoid excess moisture in your salad. Pressing out any extra liquid can significantly improve the texture.
• Avocado Ripeness is Key: For the best results, always use perfectly ripe avocados. They should yield slightly to gentle pressure but not be mushy. Ripe avocados contribute a rich, creamy texture and superior flavor, which is crucial since there’s no mayo in this recipe. Hard, unripe avocados will be crunchy and lack the desired creaminess.
• Serving Sizes: This recipe is designed to yield 4 generous main course servings. However, if you’re serving it as a light side dish or part of a larger meal, it can easily stretch to 6-8 servings.
• Craving Creaminess? While this recipe is designed to be mayo-free, if you occasionally yearn for a more traditional, creamy chicken salad, my Chicken Salad Sandwich Recipe is a fantastic option to satisfy that craving!

Delicious Variations to Try:

• Add Crunch with Cashews: For an extra layer of texture and a nutty flavor, toss in about ¼ to ½ cup of chopped roasted cashews (or almonds/pecans) with the other ingredients. They add a delightful crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy avocado.
• Herb Swap: While fresh dill is amazing, don’t hesitate to experiment with other fresh herbs. Fresh parsley or fresh cilantro are wonderful alternatives that bring their own unique aromatic notes to the salad. You could even use a combination!
• Colorful Diced Tomatoes: Incorporate diced ripe tomatoes (such as Roma or cherry tomatoes) for an added pop of color, a juicy texture, and a subtly sweet-tangy flavor that complements the other ingredients perfectly.
• Crisp Diced Cucumber: For an even more refreshing and hydrating salad, add diced cucumber. Its cool, crisp texture pairs wonderfully with the dill and adds another dimension of freshness.
• Bold Red Onion: If you prefer a sharper, more pungent onion flavor, swap the green onions for finely diced red onion. A quick soak in cold water can mellow its intensity if desired.
• Nutrient-Packed Black Beans: Boost the protein and fiber content, along with a beautiful color, by adding a ½ cup of rinsed and well-drained black beans. This also gives the salad a more Southwestern flair.
• Leaner Bacon Alternative: For those looking for a lighter option, replace regular bacon with cooked and crumbled turkey bacon. Ensure it’s cooked until crispy for the best texture.
• Turn it into a Pasta Salad: For a heartier main course, combine this avocado chicken salad with cooked and cooled rotini or other small pasta shapes. Simply prepare the chicken salad as directed, then gently fold in about 2 cups of cooked pasta for a fantastic cold avocado chicken pasta salad.
• A Hint of Spice: If you enjoy a little kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of your favorite hot sauce to the dressing.

Make Ahead, Storing, and Freezing

Understanding how to properly prepare, store, and preserve your avocado chicken salad is crucial for enjoying its freshness and flavor:

Making Ahead:

While this salad is quick to assemble, it’s generally not recommended to prepare the entire salad too far in advance, primarily due to the avocados. Avocados are prone to browning, even with the lemon dressing, if left for multiple days. However, you can certainly prepare individual components ahead of time to make assembly even quicker. Cook and shred your chicken in advance (up to 3-4 days). You can also chop your bacon, green onions, and fresh dill a day or two before. The dressing can be whisked together and stored separately in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, simply combine all the prepped ingredients, add the freshly cut avocados last, and toss with the dressing.

Storing Leftovers:

If you have leftover avocado chicken salad, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. The lemon dill dressing plays a vital role in slowing down the avocado’s oxidation (browning). To further prevent browning and keep your salad as fresh as possible, ensure you’ve tossed the salad very well so that all avocado pieces are thoroughly coated in the lemon dressing. For maximum freshness, if using plastic wrap, press the wrap directly onto the surface of the salad, ensuring there’s minimal air exposure. This tight seal is key to preserving the vibrant color and texture of the avocados.

Freezing:

Unfortunately, this avocado chicken salad does not freeze well. Avocados undergo significant changes in texture and flavor when frozen and thawed; they tend to become mushy, darker in color, and their creamy consistency is lost. For the best culinary experience, enjoy this salad fresh within a few days of preparation.

Common Questions About Avocado Chicken Salad

More Delightful Avocado Recipes to Explore

If you’re an avocado enthusiast, you’ll love these other recipes that celebrate the creamy, healthy fruit:

• Avocado and Egg Toast
• Corn Avocado Feta Salad
• Tuna Avocado Macaroni Salad