Healthy Greek Yogurt Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe
If you’re looking for a fresh, creamy, and nourishing lunch idea, you’re going to love this Healthy Greek Yogurt Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe. It’s the kind of meal that feels indulgent without any guilt—thanks to the creamy avocado and tangy Greek yogurt replacing traditional mayo. I remember the first time I whipped this up; it instantly became a staple in my fridge because it’s so easy, versatile, and packed with flavor. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll want to keep it on repeat.
Why This Recipe Works
- Healthy & Creamy: Using Greek yogurt and avocado creates a lush texture and adds healthy fats without relying on mayo.
- Simple Ingredients: You don’t need a million things—just fresh basics that come together quickly and easily.
- Flavorful & Fresh: Dill, lime juice, and good seasoning make every bite pop with brightness and depth.
- Versatile Meal: Perfect served in sandwiches, wraps, or over greens—great for lunch or a light dinner.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This Healthy Greek Yogurt Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe strikes the perfect balance between creamy and fresh, and each ingredient is here for a reason. I recommend picking a ripe avocado that’s soft to the touch and using a good quality plain Greek yogurt to get that tangy creaminess. If you can, try fresh dill for vibrant flavor, but dried or freeze-dried dill works in a pinch during winter months.
- Chicken: Cooked, shredded chicken forms the hearty protein base—boiled chicken breast is my go-to for a tender texture.
- Avocado: Ripe avocado adds healthy fat and a buttery creaminess, making this chicken salad luxuriously smooth.
- Greek Yogurt: Swaps out traditional mayo for tang and creaminess with fewer calories; choose your preferred fat content for richness.
- Dill: Brings that signature herbaceous note that pairs beautifully with avocado and chicken.
- Onion Powder: Adds gentle savory depth without the crunchiness and bite of raw onion, which I find kid-friendly.
- Garlic Powder: Provides subtle warmth and savory punch; you can swap for fresh minced garlic if preferred.
- Lime Juice: Adds brightness and acidity to balance creamy fats and helps keep the avocado from browning quickly.
- Sea Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning and rounding out the flavors.
Tweak to Your Taste
I love customizing this Healthy Greek Yogurt Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe depending on the season or what’s in my fridge. Feel free to make it your own—you can easily swap herbs or add crunch to keep things exciting!
- Add Crunch: Toss in celery, chopped apples, or toasted nuts for texture contrast—I’ve found walnuts especially tasty and a nice way to sneak in extra nutrients.
- Herb Swap: Fresh cilantro or parsley work beautifully if you don’t have dill on hand. Each herb changes the vibe of the salad, so experiment.
- Spice it Up: A pinch of smoked paprika or a few red pepper flakes gives a subtle kick that wakes up your taste buds.
- Make it Vegan: Use mashed chickpeas or tofu instead of chicken, and swap Greek yogurt for vegan yogurt—still delicious and creamy.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Healthy Greek Yogurt Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Chicken
I usually start by cooking my chicken breasts in a pot with water or broth, some salt, garlic powder, and onion powder for added flavor. It’s a hands-off step—bring the water to a boil, then simmer for about 20-30 minutes until the chicken shreds easily. Once cooked, I shred the chicken with forks and let it chill in the fridge for at least a couple of hours. This step makes sure the chicken is tender and perfect for mixing.
Step 2: Mash the Avocado & Mix in Greek Yogurt
In a large bowl, I mash a ripe avocado until it’s mostly smooth with just a few chunks for texture. Then I stir in the plain Greek yogurt until it’s creamy and well combined. This duo is the star of the recipe, creating that rich, luscious base without any mayo.
Step 3: Season the Mixture
Next, I add fresh dill (or dried during off-season), onion powder, garlic powder, lime juice, sea salt, and black pepper. This blend of herbs and spices wakes up the flavors and balances the creamy texture with some zesty brightness.
Step 4: Combine Chicken & Chill
Now, folding in the chilled shredded chicken gently ensures every bite is coated in that delicious dressing. I like to cover the bowl and pop it into the fridge for at least 30 minutes—this chill time lets all the flavors meld beautifully. If you’re short on time, 30 minutes is fine, but an hour really nails the flavor.
Step 5: Serve & Enjoy!
This salad shines on fresh bread, in a wrap, or spooned over crisp mixed greens for a light meal. It’s one of those recipes that’s as good eaten immediately as it is the next day.
Pro Tips for Making Healthy Greek Yogurt Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe
- Use Ripe Avocados: To avoid bitterness or hard chunks, only use avocados that yield slightly to gentle pressure.
- Chill Your Chicken: Cold chicken blends better with the creamy dressing and keeps the salad fresh longer.
- Prevent Browning: A squeeze of extra lime juice on top before covering keeps avocado from turning brown too fast.
- Don’t Overmix: Gently fold the chicken in to maintain some texture and avoid a mushy consistency.
How to Serve Healthy Greek Yogurt Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a little extra fresh dill or some finely chopped chives on top just before serving—it adds a vibrant pop of color and freshness. A few red pepper flakes also give a fun little heat contrast to the creamy salad.
Side Dishes
This chicken salad pairs wonderfully with crisp cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, or my favorite whole grain crackers. For something heartier, I often serve it alongside a light quinoa salad or roasted sweet potatoes for a balanced meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special lunch or party, I sometimes fill hollowed-out mini bell peppers or cherry tomatoes with the chicken salad—so cute and bite-sized! Another favorite is serving it stacked open-faced on toasted sourdough bread with sliced radishes and microgreens for a fresh vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Healthy Greek Yogurt Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe in an airtight container in the fridge. Because avocado tends to brown, I drizzle a little lime juice on top and press plastic wrap directly onto the surface before sealing. This keeps the salad looking fresh for up to 2 days—beyond that, flavors and texture start to decline.
Freezing
Freezing this salad isn’t the best move since avocado and Greek yogurt change texture when frozen and thawed. I recommend enjoying it fresh or within a couple of days refrigerated for maximum creaminess and flavor.
Reheating
This salad is meant to be enjoyed cold, so reheating is not necessary. If you want to warm your chicken separately, reheat just the shredded chicken gently and then mix it back with the chilled yogurt-avocado dressing before serving for the best texture.
FAQs
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Can I use mayonnaise instead of Greek yogurt in this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute Greek yogurt with mayonnaise if you prefer, but Greek yogurt adds a tangy flavor and fewer calories, making the recipe healthier overall. Using mayo will result in a richer, but less light, chicken salad.
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How do I keep the avocado from turning brown in the salad?
The lime juice in the recipe helps slow browning, but for extra protection, drizzle a little additional lime juice over the salad surface and press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto it before sealing the container.
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Can I make this Healthy Greek Yogurt Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, chilling the salad for at least 30 minutes lets the flavors meld and improves the taste. Just keep in mind it’s best eaten within two days for freshness since the avocado can discolor.
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Is this recipe kid-friendly?
Yes! The creamy texture and mild flavors usually go over well with kids, especially since the onion and garlic powders are gentle compared to raw versions. You can adjust seasonings for younger palates if needed.
Final Thoughts
This Healthy Greek Yogurt Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe is one of those easy, nourishing dishes that quickly became a household favorite for me. It hits all the right notes—creamy, fresh, flavorful, and nourishing—without overcomplicating things in the kitchen. So next time you want a no-fuss, satisfying meal that feels a little special, give this recipe a try. I promise you’ll enjoy every bite and the simplicity of having a go-to healthy chicken salad ready in your fridge.
Print
Healthy Greek Yogurt Avocado Chicken Salad Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Healthy Greek Yogurt Avocado Chicken Salad is a creamy, flavorful dish combining tender chicken, ripe avocado, and tangy Greek yogurt with herbs and spices. Perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or served over salad greens, it’s a nutritious lunch or dinner option that balances protein and healthy fats.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 cups shredded or cubed cooked chicken
Dressing
- 1 medium ripe avocado
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Mash avocado: In a large mixing bowl, mash the avocado until smooth with some small chunks remaining for texture.
- Add Greek yogurt: Stir in the plain Greek yogurt with the mashed avocado until well combined and creamy.
- Mix in seasonings: Add fresh or dried dill, onion powder, garlic powder, lime juice, salt, and black pepper. Stir until all ingredients are evenly incorporated to create a flavorful dressing.
- Combine with chicken: Add the shredded or cubed cooked chicken to the avocado and yogurt mixture. Stir gently until the chicken is fully coated and all ingredients are combined.
- Chill salad: Place the salad in the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend together.
- Serve: Enjoy the chicken salad on a sandwich, in a wrap, or over a bed of salad greens for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
Notes
- How to cook chicken: Place chicken breasts in a medium pot and cover with water or chicken broth by 2 inches. Add your choice of spices such as garlic powder, salt, pepper, onion powder, and herbs. Bring to a boil and cook for 30 minutes or until the chicken is tender and can be shredded easily with a fork. Remove, shred, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before using.
- Ingredient substitutions: You can use any plain Greek yogurt regardless of fat content for varied creaminess. Sour cream is another alternative. Freeze-dried dill works well if fresh dill is unavailable. For onion powder, you may substitute 1-2 tablespoons of fresh chopped onion for added crunch and flavor. Fresh minced garlic can replace garlic powder if preferred.
- Storage tips: Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because of the avocado, it may brown if not consumed within one day. To prevent browning, drizzle extra lime juice over exposed parts of the salad and cover tightly with plastic wrap before sealing the container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
