Grilled Chicken Avocado Herb Salad (Printable)
Tender grilled chicken on mixed greens with cherry tomatoes and cucumber, dressed in a creamy avocado-herb sauce.
# What You Need:
→ Grilled Chicken
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
04 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Salad Assembly
07 - 6 cups mixed salad greens such as arugula, romaine, or spinach
08 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
09 - 1/2 English cucumber, sliced
10 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
11 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced
12 - 1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
→ Avocado Herb Dressing
13 - 1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
14 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves or parsley leaves
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped
16 - 1 garlic clove
17 - 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt
18 - Juice of 1 lime
19 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
20 - 2 tablespoons water, or more to adjust consistency
21 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
22 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
# How To Make It:
01 - Set grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and allow to preheat.
02 - Brush chicken breasts with olive oil. Sprinkle evenly with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
03 - Place chicken on grill and cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side, until fully cooked with juices running clear. Remove from grill and rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
04 - In a blender or food processor, combine ripe avocado, cilantro or parsley, chives, garlic, Greek yogurt, lime juice, olive oil, water, salt, and black pepper. Blend until mixture is smooth and creamy, adding additional water for thinner consistency if necessary.
05 - In a large salad bowl, combine salad greens, cherry tomatoes, English cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, and sliced red bell pepper.
06 - Arrange sliced grilled chicken over salad. Crumble feta cheese on top, if desired. Drizzle Avocado Herb Dressing over the salad just before serving and toss gently to combine all ingredients.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The avocado herb dressing makes everything taste extra special, and no one ever guesses how simple it is.
- It keeps you full for hours without feeling heavy, so it's perfect for busy days or light dinners.
02 -
- Skimping on resting the chicken really does make it dry—I've learned this the hard way more than once.
- Don't rush blending the dressing; the extra minute makes it silkier than you'd expect.
03 -
- Letting the grilled chicken rest changes everything—juiciness is worth the wait.
- Using slightly underripe avocado in the dressing gives it an extra silky texture that clings to every leaf.