Herb-Roasted Chicken Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A refreshing protein-packed salad featuring warm herb-roasted chicken, mixed greens, and a luscious avocado dressing ready in minutes. This mediterranean-inspired whole30 ready in about 45 minutes pairs chicken breasts, avocado oil, dried rosemary for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a Whole30 week and pairs well with roasted sweet potato or a simple olive-oil salad. 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.

★ 4.3 (11 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat chicken breasts dry, then season with 1 tbsp dried rosemary, 1 tbsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Drizzle with 1 tbsp avocado oil and rub to coat.
  2. Step 2: Place chicken on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until golden and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  3. Step 3: While chicken roasts, prepare dressing: in a blender, combine 1 avocado, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, 1/4 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper, blending until smooth and creamy.
  4. Step 4: Toss 4 cups mixed greens, 1 cup cherry tomatoes, and 1/2 cup cucumber slices with 1/4 of the avocado dressing. Slice roasted chicken and arrange over salad, then drizzle with remaining dressing.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Herb-Roasted Chicken Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 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 Herb-Roasted Chicken Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing?

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 chicken breasts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Roasted Chicken Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing?

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 Herb-Roasted Chicken Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.

What goes well with Herb-Roasted Chicken Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing?

Mediterranean whole30 like this pair well with a compliant starch (roasted sweet potato, cauliflower rice, or plantains), a crisp salad dressed with olive oil and lemon, and sliced fruit. Skip grains, legumes, dairy and added sugar — none of them are Whole30-compliant. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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