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Happy summer! Yesterday was the official first day, and all the heat means I want easy meals that don’t heat up my house or feel heavy. Enter this paleo whole30 chicken salad with avocado recipe!
I’ve been making this avocado chicken salad recipe for a few weeks straight now. It’s so convenient to have in the fridge as a quick and easy lunch. You’re going to love it.
A Healthy Whole30 Chicken Salad Recipe
Healthy chicken salad is one of the easiest recipes to make paleo, keto and whole30. Even with a traditional low carb chicken salad recipe, often times it can be naturally all of the above. The key is to use a whole30 and paleo approved mayonnaise, like my homemade avocado mayo or this store-bought one.
But, I know some people want to make whole30 chicken salad without mayonnaise. Maybe you have an egg allergy, or maybe you have other reasons for avoiding mayo.
I can’t think of any better replacement for mayo in a paleo chicken salad than avocado. It’s super easy to make the swap for healthy chicken salad with avocado instead of mayo. Besides, it’s creamy and oh so delicious!
Ingredients for Chicken Avocado Salad with Lime and Cilantro
Chicken avocado salad with lime and cilantro is my favorite way to make paleo whole30 chicken salad. It’s super easy, with just a few common ingredients:
- Avocado
- Lime juice
- Shredded chicken
- Red onion
- Cilantro
- Jalapenos (optional)
…plus salt and pepper.
The lime juice does a great job at preserving the salad, so it doesn’t turn brown too fast. And, it adds flavor at the same time!
With the avocado and lime in this paleo chicken salad, we’re already halfway there to the flavors of guacamole. So, I went all out and finished it off with some red onion, jalapenos and cilantro.
The jalapenos are optional here. Feel free to skip them if you don’t like heat or if making this for kids.
If you’re one of those people that doesn’t like the taste of cilantro, you can definitely skip that or substitute it with some other herbs. It’s totally flexible!
But if you can, this chicken avocado salad with lime and cilantro is like a guacamole with shredded chicken thrown in. It easily goes from a dip to a salad you can eat with a fork!
How To Make Chicken Avocado Salad
There are barely any steps in how to make chicken avocado salad. Mash the avocado with some lime juice, sea salt and black pepper. Throw in the remaining ingredients and you’re done!
What about the chicken? I like to use pressure cooker shredded chicken.
In fact, I updated that recipe recently to include times for various amounts of chicken. That was actually the inspiration to make this avocado chicken salad. I was testing various times and had So. Much. Chicken.
Right away, my mind went to making an avocado chicken salad!
If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can also make chicken salad with cubed chicken. For example, sometimes I just make this baked chicken breast recipe and cut it up into chunks. You can even just grab a rotisserie chicken, too.
Either way, as long as you have the chicken ready, this chicken avocado salad with lime and cilantro comes together in a snap.
Ways To Serve Paleo Chicken Salad with Avocado
What’s your favorite way to eat chicken and avocado salad? There are plenty of options, and here are some of my faves…
Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad Lettuce Wraps
Healthy avocado chicken salad in lettuce wraps is totally #1 for me! They’re quick, easy and so refreshing in the summer.
These lettuce wraps with paleo chicken salad have been on regular rotation for lunch. With such a delicious filling, even my kids will eat them.
Chicken and Avocado Salad on Paleo Bread
Lettuce wraps not your thing? Spread the chicken avocado salad with lime and cilantro on some bread! It’s like a cross between chicken salad and avocado toast.
It goes well on a keto paleo bread recipe if you like white bread, or try this almond flour bread recipe if you like more of a wheat bread texture.
Avocados Stuffed with Paleo Whole30 Chicken Salad
If you don’t have bread or lettuce, you can serve this avocado chicken salad recipe right in the avocado. Either stuff it into the shell you used to make it, or into a new avocado so that you have some extra avocado flesh in there. Perfect for all the avocado lovers!
Of course, there’s nothing wrong with just straight up grabbing a spoon. Trust me, this paleo whole30 chicken salad recipe with avocado is good enough on its own. And sometimes it’s just one of those days!
Paleo Whole30 Chicken Salad with Avocado Recipe:
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RECIPE CARD
Paleo Whole30 Chicken Salad with Avocado Recipe
An easy paleo whole30 chicken salad recipe with avocado - only 5 ingredients! Plus, simple ideas for serving chicken avocado salad with lime and cilantro.
Recipe Video
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Instructions
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Mash the avocado and lime juice together with sea salt and black pepper to taste.
Add the shredded chicken, red onion, cilantro, and jalapenos (if using). Stir everything together. Serve immediately.
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Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup
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Nutrition Information Per Serving
Where does nutrition info come from? Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy, sourced from the USDA Food Database. You can find individual ingredient carb counts we use in the Low Carb & Keto Food List. Net carb count excludes fiber, erythritol, and allulose, because these do not affect blood sugar in most people. (Learn about net carbs here.) We try to be accurate, but feel free to make your own calculations.
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12 Comments
Diane
Loved this recipe!! I love guacamole and it was delicious like guacamole and had the chicken in it for increased protein! I added some extra fresh squeezed lime juice because I love this flavor! Thank you!!
Sabrina Scheving
Simple and delicious. Thanks!
Katie Schweiss
I LOVE this recipe! Today I made it with leftover Christmas turkey I had in the freezer. Avocadoes are one of my favorite foods, and I like having different ways to eat them. Saw this recipe in your Instagram feed last week and just had to try it! It’s really delicious with flax seed crackers.
Lorraine
Thanks Maya! This recipe is easy, delicious, keto-friendly, and low-cal! Can’t get much better than that! 🙂
Maya | Wholesome Yum
I am so happy to hear that, Lorraine! Have a great day!
Pamela
Thank you
Maya | Wholesome Yum
You’re so welcome, Pamela! Hope you liked it.
Bobbi Karsteter
Somehow I missed it. What does WHOLE30 mean? I love the salad and I’m crazy about avocado mayo. I’m crazy about avocados period.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Bobbi, Whole30 is a 30-day reset plan focused on whole foods. It excludes all grains, legumes, dairy, sweeteners (even natural ones), booze, artificial or processed ingredients, and replacement for junk food or dessert even if made with approved ingredients. It’s not meant to be permanent but rather a reset as a start to a healthier way of eating. After the whole30, people often continue with either a low carb, paleo, or generally healthy diet. This recipe works for all of the above.
Becca
Does this keep well for leftovers? I love reading your recipes and trying things out!! 🙂
Maya | Wholesome Yum
Hi Becca, It’s best the day of, but will keep in the fridge for a couple days. It just starts to turn brown from the avocado after some time.
Lorraine
Becca, I cook and shred the chicken, mix it with all the ingredients except the avocado & lime, then cover and refrigerate. In the morning, on the day I plan to take it to work for lunch, I quickly mash 1/2 avocado, add the lime juice and combine with 1/4 of the chicken mixture. Delicious, quick, and no browning! -Lorraine