Guacamole Chicken Salad
Published on September 09, 2026
Quick Summary
Guacamole Chicken Salad is a fresh and flavorful chicken salad made with creamy avocado, lime juice, cilantro, red onion, jalapeño, tomatoes, and shredded chicken. This easy avocado chicken salad is naturally creamy without mayonnaise and is delicious in sandwiches, wraps, lettuce wraps, or with crackers. It's a quick, satisfying lunch or light dinner you'll want to make on repeat.
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Pin ItGuacamole Chicken Salad: A Fresh, Protein-Packed Lunch
If you're looking for an easy, protein-packed lunch, this Guacamole Chicken Salad is a great one to have in your back pocket. It's fresh, creamy, and satisfying, with tender shredded chicken, creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, fresh lime juice, cilantro, and a little jalapeño. It comes together quickly, so it's perfect for busy weekdays when you want something filling without a lot of work.
The avocado is what makes this chicken salad so good. Instead of mayonnaise, mashed avocado creates a creamy coating for the chicken, while lime juice, cilantro, red onion, and jalapeño bring all of those fresh guacamole flavors. The tomatoes add a juicy pop and a little texture, and I love how everything comes together in each bite.
I usually make this chicken salad with leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken, which means lunch can be ready in just a few minutes. You can pile it onto toasted bread, tuck it into a wrap, spoon it into lettuce cups, or serve it with crackers or tortilla chips. It's also delicious straight from the bowl when you want something fresh but still want plenty of protein.
If you want more chicken salad recipes to add to your lunch rotation, try my Classic Chicken Salad, Dill Pickle Chicken Salad, and Tzatziki Chicken Salad.
Table of Contents
Ingredients (with Helpful Notes)
- Avocados: Use ripe avocados that give slightly when gently pressed. They provide the creamy texture and act as the dressing for the salad.
- Red onion: Adds a little crunch and a mild bite. If your onion is especially strong, you can soak the diced onion in cold water for a few minutes before adding it.
- Fresh cilantro: Fresh cilantro adds classic guacamole flavor. If you're not a cilantro fan, you can leave it out.
- Fresh lime juice: Fresh lime juice brightens everything up and helps keep the avocado from browning as quickly.
- Jalapeño: Removing the seeds keeps the heat fairly mild. If you like spicy guacamole, leave in some of the seeds or add a little more jalapeño.
- Garlic powder: Adds savory garlic flavor without overpowering the fresh ingredients.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: Don't skip the seasoning. Salt really brings out the flavor of the avocado and lime.
- Cooked chicken: Shredded rotisserie chicken is an easy shortcut, but any leftover cooked chicken works. Make sure the chicken is cooled before mixing it with the avocado.
- Tomatoes: I love the fresh pop of color and juicy texture tomatoes add. Roma, cherry, or grape tomatoes all work well.
Tips for Making the Chicken Salad
Use ripe avocados. They should be soft enough to mash easily but not brown or overly soft.
Don't over-mash the avocado. A little texture makes the chicken salad more interesting.
Use fresh lime juice. Bottled lime juice won't have quite the same bright, fresh flavor.
Taste before serving. Depending on the size and ripeness of your avocados, you may want to add a little extra lime juice or salt.
Adjust the heat. Jalapeños vary in spiciness. Start with the amount called for and add more if you want more heat.
Use rotisserie chicken for a shortcut. It makes this recipe especially quick and easy.
Let the chicken cool first. Warm chicken can make the avocado mixture soft and affect the fresh flavor of the salad.
Add the tomatoes last. Gently folding them in keeps them from getting smashed and watery.
Serve with crunchy tortilla chips. The creamy chicken salad and salty crunch are a really good combination.
How to Store
- This chicken salad is best served shortly after making it because avocado will naturally brown over time.
- If you have leftovers, transfer the salad to an airtight container and press plastic wrap directly against the surface of the chicken salad before covering. This limits the amount of air that reaches the avocado.
- Refrigerate for up to 1 day for the best flavor and texture. Give the salad a good stir before serving. A little extra fresh lime juice can also brighten it back up.
Guacamole Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 2 avocados, peeled and pitted
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/2 jalapeño pepper, seeds removed and minced
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
Instructions
- Mash the Avocados: In a large bowl, mash the avocados with a fork until mostly smooth, leaving a few chunks for texture if desired.
- Make the Guacamole: Add the red onion, cilantro, lime juice, jalapeño, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well combined.
- Add the Chicken: Fold in the shredded chicken and stir until evenly coated with the guacamole mixture.
- Finish and Serve: Gently stir in the chopped tomatoes. Serve immediately as a sandwich, wrap, lettuce wrap, with crackers, or enjoy on its own.
Notes
- Rotisserie chicken works great in this recipe and makes it especially quick and easy.
- If using larger avocados, you may need a little more lime juice and seasoning to taste.
- For less heat, make sure the jalapeño is seeded and membranes are removed.
- For more heat, leave some of the jalapeño seeds and membranes intact.
- Guacamole Chicken Salad is best served immediately because avocado will brown over time.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and press plastic wrap directly onto the surface to help slow browning.
- Serve as a sandwich, wrap, lettuce wrap, with crackers or tortilla chips, or enjoy on its own.
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?
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Variations
- Add black beans: Stir in drained and rinsed black beans for extra protein and texture.
- Make it spicy: Add more jalapeño, a pinch of cayenne, or some finely chopped serrano pepper.
- Add corn: Fresh, frozen and thawed, or grilled corn would be delicious here and adds a little sweetness.
- Make it extra crunchy: Add diced cucumber, bell pepper, or a little finely chopped celery.
- Add cheese: Crumbled cotija or feta would be delicious sprinkled over the top.
- Make it smoky: Add a little smoked paprika or chili powder for a smoky kick.
- Use turkey: This recipe works beautifully with leftover cooked turkey, too.
- Add tortilla chips: Crush a few tortilla chips over the top just before serving for a little salty crunch.
More Chicken Salad Recipes
- Chicken Salad
- Dill Pickle Chicken Salad
- Taco Chicken Salad
- Green Goddess Chicken Salad
- Peanut Chicken Salad
Check out all of my CHICKEN SALAD RECIPES!