10-Minute Keto Avocado Chicken Salad (Creamy & Mayo-Free!)

Tired of sad, dry desk lunches? This creamy avocado chicken salad is your new midday obsession, delivering a lush, buttery texture that clings to every piece of tender chicken. It’s zesty, fresh, and completely skips the heavy mayo for a light yet satisfying bite that tastes like pure summer sunshine.

Why This Recipe is a Lunchtime Savior

• Naturally Lush Texture: By mashing ripe avocado with lime juice, you create a velvety coating that mimics mayonnaise but feels much fresher and lighter on the palate.
• Zero “Sad Salad” Vibes: The combination of sharp red onion, earthy cumin, and bright cilantro ensures every bite pops with flavor, making it a truly addictive meal rather than just “fuel.”
• Speedy Prep: If you have cooked chicken on hand, this comes together in literally minutes, making it the perfect solution for busy mornings.

Fresh Ingredients for a Zesty Bite

The magic here is simplicity. We are ditching the jarred stuff and letting whole ingredients shine. The avocado provides all the healthy fats we need to keep this low carb chicken avocado salad feeling substantial.

I personally love using leftovers from my My Favorite Lemon Garlic Chicken Sheet Pan (With a Secret Marinade!) for this. The lemon notes in the chicken pair perfectly with the lime dressing here!

This recipe is also a fantastic tool if you are currently Mastering Macros, as it perfectly balances protein with quality fats.

How to Make It (The Easy Way)

This really is as simple as chop, mix, and devour. Start by shredding your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces.

In a mixing bowl, combine the chicken with your diced avocado, minced red onion, and cilantro. Pour over that zesty healthy lime chicken salad dressing—just fresh lime juice, olive oil, and cumin.

Gently toss everything together. You want the avocado to break down slightly to create that creamy sauce, but still leave some chunky bites for texture.

Expert Tips for the Perfect Bowl

• Ripeness Matters: Your avocado needs to be perfectly soft. If it’s too hard, you won’t get that creamy coating; too mushy, and it becomes guacamole (which is tasty, but not the goal!).
• Serving the Family: While this is a perfect keto meal, my kids sometimes want a “heartier” base. I often make this The Best Fresh Quinoa Salad Recipe (Easy & Zesty!) for them and serve the chicken right on top. It keeps everyone at the table happy without extra cooking!
• Storage Reality Check: Because avocado oxidizes (turns brown) quickly, this salad is best eaten fresh. If you must store it, press plastic wrap directly against the surface of the salad to limit air exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use rotisserie chicken?
Absolutely! Rotisserie chicken is a huge time-saver and adds great flavor. Just remove the skin to keep the texture consistent with the creamy avocado.

Is this spicy?
Not at all. The cumin adds warmth, not heat. If you want a kick, a pinch of cayenne or some diced jalapeño makes a delicious addition.

Creamy Lime Chicken and Avocado Salad

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A refreshing and healthy chicken salad made naturally creamy with avocado and brightened with lime juice. This mayo-free salad is quick to assemble and perfect for a light, low-carb meal.

• Prep Time: 12 minutes
• Total Time: 12 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

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Main Salad Components:

• 1 large cooked chicken breast (shredded or chopped (about 1.5 cups))
• 1 large ripe avocado (pitted and diced)
• 3 tablespoons red onion (finely minced)
• 1.5 tablespoons fresh cilantro (minced)

Dressing Components:

• 1.5 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1.5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Seasonings:

• ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
• Salt (to taste)
• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients: Ensure your cooked chicken is shredded or cut into bite-sized pieces. Gently dice the ripe avocado. Finely mince the red onion and fresh cilantro. Have your lime juice, olive oil, and seasonings ready.
2. Combine Salad Base: In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the prepared chicken, diced avocado, minced red onion, and minced cilantro.
3. Dress and Season: Pour the fresh lime juice and extra-virgin olive oil over the ingredients in the bowl. Sprinkle with the ground cumin, salt, and freshly ground black pepper according to your preference.
4. Mix Gently: Using a rubber spatula or large spoon, carefully fold and toss the salad ingredients. Mix just until everything is evenly coated with the dressing and seasonings. Be gentle during mixing to avoid mashing the avocado chunks excessively; you want to maintain some texture.
5. Serve: Serve the Creamy Lime Chicken and Avocado Salad immediately for the best texture and color. Excellent served in lettuce cups, with vegetable sticks, or on its own.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (per serving, 1 of 4): Calories 205 kcal | Protein 18.5 g | Total Fat 12.8 g (Saturated Fat: 2.1 g) | Total Carbs 4.6 g (Fiber: 2.8 g, Sugars: 0.7 g, Net Carbs: 1.8 g) | Sodium 189 mg | Cholesterol 48 mg

These values are approximate and may vary based on ingredients and preparation. Based on 4 servings; assumes chicken cooked without significant added salt and minimal salt added to taste; excludes optional serving items; sodium varies significantly based on added salt.

 

Nutrition

• Calories: 205

I hope this fresh, zesty bowl brings a little brightness to your day! It’s one of those recipes that proves healthy food doesn’t have to be complicated to be delicious.

Disclaimer: I’m just a mom sharing the recipes that keep my family happy and fed, not a nutritionist. Always listen to your own body and consult a doctor when making changes to your diet!