🥗 Grilled Chicken Avocado Salad (Fresh & Creamy)

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10–12 minutes
Total Time: ~25 minutes

A refreshing, protein-packed salad made with juicy grilled chicken, creamy avocado, crisp veggies, and a bright homemade dressing.

⭐ Ingredients

For the Grilled Chicken

• 1 ½ lbs (680 g) chicken breasts

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1 tsp dried oregano

• ½ tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

For the Salad

• 2 large avocados, diced

• 2 cups romaine or mixed greens

• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced

• 1 cucumber, diced

• ¼ cup fresh cilantro or parsley (optional)

• ¼ cup feta cheese (optional)

For the Creamy Dressing

Option A: Greek Yogurt Creamy Dressing

• ½ cup Greek yogurt

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1 clove garlic, minced

• Salt & pepper to taste

Option B: Avocado Lime Dressing (extra creamy)

• 1 avocado

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 tbsp lime juice

• 1 clove garlic

• 2 tbsp water

• Salt & pepper
  (Blend until smooth)

🍳 Instructions

1. Marinate the Chicken

1. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper.

2. Coat chicken well and marinate for 15 minutes (or up to 8 hours).

2. Grill the Chicken

Grill:

• Heat grill to medium-high.

• Cook chicken 5–6 minutes per side or until fully cooked.

Stovetop Option:

• Use a grill pan or regular skillet; cook similarly until golden and cooked through.

Let rest 5 minutes, then slice.

3. Prepare the Salad

In a large bowl, add:

• Greens

• Avocado

• Tomatoes

• Onion

• Cucumber

• Herbs

• Feta (optional)

4. Make the Dressing

• Whisk ingredients for the yogurt dressing OR blend ingredients for the avocado lime dressing.

• Adjust seasoning as needed.

5. Assemble

• Add sliced grilled chicken to the salad.

• Drizzle with dressing.

• Toss gently and serve immediately.

🌿 Tips

• For extra flavor, add fresh lime wedges.

• For crunch, add roasted chickpeas or toasted almonds.

• Grill an extra chicken breast for tomorrow’s lunch!

❓ Q & A Section

Q1: Can I use rotisserie or leftover chicken?

A: Yes! It works perfectly. Just warm it slightly or use cold.

Q2: How do I keep the avocado from browning?

A: Add avocado last and toss in lemon/lime juice. The acidity keeps it fresh.

Q3: Can I meal prep this salad?

A: Yes — but store components separately:

• Chicken in one container

• Veggies in another

• Dressing separately

• Add avocado fresh on the day of eating

Q4: Can I make this dairy-free?

A: Yes!

• Skip feta

• Use avocado lime dressing instead of yogurt dressing

Q5: Can I add carbs to make it a full meal?

A: Absolutely! Add:

• Quinoa

• Couscous

• Brown rice

• Roasted potatoes

Q6: Can I grill the chicken in an air fryer?

A: Yes! Air fry at 380°F (193°C) for 14–16 minutes, flipping halfway.

Q7: Best add-ons for more flavor?

• Roasted corn

• Pickled onions

• Crumbled bacon

• Jalapeños

• Sunflower seeds