Sautéed Spicy Chicken Salad with Creamy Avocado Dressing

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-08 · Updated 2026-08-08

Tender chicken breast sautéed with a bold spice blend served on a bed of fresh greens and drizzled with a smooth avocado dressing. This Mexican-inspired chicken recipe (gluten free, high protein), ready in about 20 minutes, pairs boneless skinless chicken breast, olive oil, smoked paprika 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 rice, quinoa, or a quick 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.

Ingredients

• 8 oz, sliced into 1/2-inch strips boneless skinless chicken breast
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 2 cups, chopped romaine lettuce
• 1/2 cup, halved cherry tomatoes
• 1/2 fruit ripe avocado
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
• 2 tbsp, chopped cilantro leaves

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add 8 oz boneless skinless chicken breast sliced into 1/2-inch strips, seasoning immediately with 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/2 tsp ground cumin, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Sauté for 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and has a light golden crust.
2. Step 2: While the chicken cooks, prepare the avocado dressing by blending 1/2 ripe avocado, 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt, 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, and 2 tbsp chopped cilantro leaves in a small food processor until smooth and creamy.
3. Step 3: Arrange 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce and 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes in a serving bowl. Top with the sautéed spicy chicken strips.
4. Step 4: Drizzle the creamy avocado dressing over the salad evenly, toss gently to combine, and serve immediately for a flavorful protein-packed meal.