Creamy Avocado-Cilantro Chicken Salad
A refreshing, no-mayo chicken salad with mashed avocado and fresh cilantro, perfect for lettuce wraps or as a sandwich filling. This mexican-inspired keto (low-carb) ready in about 15 minutes pairs cooked and diced chicken breast, medium, mashed avocado, finely chopped fresh cilantro for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 oz, cooked and diced chicken breast
- 1 medium, mashed avocado
- 1/4 cup, finely chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- 1/4 cup, finely diced red onion
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- pinch black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine diced chicken breast, mashed avocado, and chopped cilantro.
- Step 2: Add 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tbsp lime juice, diced red onion, 1/4 tsp sea salt, and a pinch of black pepper to the bowl.
- Step 3: Gently fold all ingredients together until fully incorporated and the mixture holds its shape without becoming mushy.
- Step 4: Chill for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving cold.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Avocado-Cilantro Chicken Salad take to make?
Total time is about 15 minutes (15 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Creamy Avocado-Cilantro Chicken Salad?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep medium, mashed avocado from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Avocado-Cilantro Chicken Salad?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Creamy Avocado-Cilantro Chicken Salad for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Creamy Avocado-Cilantro Chicken Salad low-carb?
Yes — this recipe is tagged low-carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★☆☆
Decent recipe but nothing special. Might try a different version.
