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Chicken Avocado Quinoa Salad

Chicken Avocado Quinoa Salad

A fresh, protein-packed salad with juicy chicken, creamy avocado, and fluffy quinoa tossed in a zesty lime dressing. Perfect for lunch, meal prep, or a light dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Lunch, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: American, Healthy
Calories: 420

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa or 3 cups cooked
  • 2 cooked chicken breasts diced or shredded
  • 1 ripe avocado diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/3 cup red onion finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: crumbled feta or cotija cheese for topping

Method
 

Cook the quinoa
  1. Rinse 1 cup of quinoa under cold water. Add to a pot with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until fluffy. Let cool.
Prepare the chicken
  1. Use grilled, poached, or rotisserie chicken. Dice or shred it into bite-size pieces.
Mix the dressing
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Combine ingredients
  1. In a large bowl, combine cooled quinoa, chicken, diced avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro.
Add the dressing
  1. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to mix everything evenly.
Chill or serve immediately
  1. You can eat it right away or chill it in the fridge for 15–30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Optional topping
  1. Sprinkle with cheese before serving if desired.

Notes

  • Meal prep friendly: Store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Customize it: Add black beans, cucumber, or corn for extra flavor and texture.
  • Make it dairy-free: Skip the cheese or use a plant-based option.