Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad Recipe

This creamy Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad became my go-to after I accidentally dropped store-bought ranch into my guacamole bowl—the best kitchen disaster ever!

This protein-packed salad combines tender chicken with buttery avocado and zesty ranch flavours, perfect for meal prep enthusiasts and busy weeknight warriors.

Ready in just 15 minutes, it’s like a California spa day for your taste buds – fresh, satisfying, and surprisingly addictive!

How Long Will It Take To Prepare?

• Cooking the chicken: This step will not take long if you start with cooked chicken breasts. However, cooking the chicken can take approximately 20-25 minutes, depending on the method used (boiling, grilling, baking).
• Chopping and preparing the vegetables and avocado: This step can take 10-15 minutes, depending on your chopping speed.
• Making the Avocado Ranch Dressing: Preparing the dressing, including gathering and blending the ingredients, can take about 5-10 minutes.
• Assembling the salad: Once all the components are ready, making the salad should take 5-10 minutes.
• Total Time: You’re looking at approximately 40-60 minutes to prepare Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad from start to finish.
• Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Essential Ingredients For Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad:

For the Chicken Salad

• 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
• One ripe avocado, peeled and diced
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• 1/4 cup diced bell pepper (any colour)
• 1/4 cup diced cucumber
• 1/4 cup diced tomatoes
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lettuce leaves or bread for serving

For the Avocado Ranch Dressing

• One ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
• 1/2 cup Greek yoghurt or sour cream
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• Two tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
• Two tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (or one tablespoon dried parsley)
• One tablespoon chopped fresh dill (or one teaspoon dried dill)
• One clove of garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Water (as needed to thin the dressing)

Essential Instructions For The Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad:

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Boil, grill, or bake chicken breasts until fully cooked. Let them cool, then dice or shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Prepare the Avocado Ranch Dressing

Combine the ripe avocado, Greek yoghurt (or sour cream), mayonnaise, lemon juice, chopped parsley, chopped dill, minced garlic, onion powder, dried chives, salt, and pepper in a blender or food processor.

Step 3:

Blend until smooth and creamy. If the dressing is too thick, thin it with a bit of water and add it gradually until you reach your desired consistency. Adjust seasoning to taste.

Step 4: Assemble the Salad

Combine the cooked chicken, diced avocado, red onion, chopped bell pepper, cucumber, and tomatoes in a large mixing bowl.

Step 5:

Pour the avocado ranch dressing over the chicken mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.

Step 6: Serve

To serve, line a serving platter or individual plates with lettuce leaves or spread the avocado ranch chicken salad on bread slices to make sandwiches. Garnish with additional chopped herbs or a sprinkle of paprika if desired.

Additional Tips For Springfield- Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad:

1. Feel free to customise this avocado ranch chicken salad by adding ingredients like diced bacon, shredded cheese, sliced olives, or corn kernels for extra flavour and texture.
2. For a lighter version, you can use Greek yoghurt instead of mayonnaise or a combination of both in the dressing.
3. To prevent the salad from becoming watery, make sure the chicken is completely cooled before mixing it with the other ingredients.
4. This salad can be served immediately or chilled in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving to allow the flavours to meld together.
5. Leftover chicken salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Nutrition Facts Of Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad

Nutrition	Amount
Calories	300 calories
Total Fat	20 grams
Saturated Fat	4 grams
Cholesterol	60 milligrams
Sodium	300 milligrams
Total Carbohydrates	12 grams
Dietary Fiber	5 grams
Sugars	5 grams
Protein	25 grams

Note:

1. These nutrition facts are estimates and can vary based on specific ingredient brands, variations in portion sizes, and individual preparation methods.
2. The avocado, Greek yoghurt (or sour cream), and nuts contribute healthy fats to the salad, while the chicken provides a good source of protein.
3. The salad is also rich in dietary fibre from the vegetables and avocado, which can help promote digestive health and satisfy you.

Conclusion

Avocado Ranch Chicken Salad offers a delightful blend of flavours and textures, making it a versatile and satisfying meal option.

This salad will surely please your taste buds with its creamy avocado, tender chicken, and zesty ranch dressing. Enjoy it as a nutritious lunch, dinner, or snack anytime!