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Blackened Chicken and Avocado Salad – This easy blackened chicken salad recipe with chunky avocado is the simplest and healthiest meal you can make! Chicken is seasoned and grilled to perfection with paprika, garlic, chili powder, cumin, pepper, and olive oil. For the finishing touch, you can also drizzle with our delicious apple cider vinegar dressing. Pairing chicken with salad is always a wonderful option for a light and healthy meal at home or on the go. Enjoy!
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Ingredients list for the Blackened Chicken Salad recipe
The blackened chicken
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced horizontally
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin, optional
- 1/2 teaspoon powdered chicken stock, optional
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Pinch salt and fresh cracked pepper
The avocado salad
- 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 avocados
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, fresh or dried
- Salt and fresh cracked pepper, to taste
- Parmesan shavings, optional
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Directions
1. To make the blackened chicken salad with avocado: In a small bowl, mix together the paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Coat the chicken breasts with the marinade and cook on medium-low heat in a skillet until cooked through – about 15 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts. If chicken browns too fast, reduce the heat.
2. Add the chopped lettuce, diced avocado, tomato, and onion to a large salad bowl, drizzling the olive oil and sprinkling with salt, pepper, and cilantro. Toss to combine and sprinkle with parmesan shavings. You can also add a good drizzle of our apple cider vinegar dressing.
3. Once cooked, transfer the cooked chicken breasts to a cutting board and cut into 1/2-inch strips, place on top of the avocado salad and serve the blackened chicken avocado salad immediately. Enjoy!
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
Tips for the blackened chicken salad recipe
Blackening spices change what could be a bland protein into a flavor explosion in every bite, this, without adding a ton of fat or calories. Here are a few tips on how to make this blackened chicken salad recipe:
- We slice chicken breasts horizontally so they cook faster. You can also use chicken tenders if you like; in this case, there’s no need to slice chicken before cooking.
- Try these add-ins that go well with this chicken and salad: chopped cucumber, crispy bacon, corn, olives…
- To keep the avocado from turning brown, brush the avocado in either lemon juice or lime juice. It will act as an antioxidant and keep the avocado from turning brown too quickly.
- Being a cold chicken salad makes this recipe perfect for summer, picnics, or potlucks. You can make it up to a day in advance, leaving the avocado and tomato until you are ready to serve the chicken salad to keep the ingredients as fresh as possible.
How Do You Make Chicken Salad
This blackened Chicken Salad recipe is so easy to make!
- For the chicken marinade: Combine paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper and olive oil in a small bowl. Coat the chicken breasts with the marinade and cook in a skillet – about 15 minutes.
- In a large salad bowl, add the chopped lettuce, diced avocado, cilantro, tomato, and onion. Drizzle the salad with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper then toss the salad.
- Place sliced blackened chicken on top of the salad and serve the blackened chicken avocado salad immediately.
What to serve with the blackened chicken salad?
This blackened chicken salad is light, refreshing, and goes with pretty much everything: think garlic bread, toasted pita, our delicious Caprese pull-apart bread, or homemade bread rolls.
How to keep the blackened chicken salad
This blackened chicken salad recipe keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days if stored in an air-tight container. You may have to toss up the chicken salad leftovers to redistribute the dressing and the juices before you serve.
More chicken salad recipes
- Healthy Avocado Chicken Salad
- Healthy Spinach Chicken Salad with Cauliflower
- Healthy Chicken Pasta Salad with Pesto, Avocado, and Tomato
- Roasted Chicken Parmesan Kale Salad
Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com
