Easy And Healthy Roasted Chicken and Avocado Salad

Why You’ll Like It

• Detoxing… It’s perfect for weight loss, a clean eating diet and for anyone wanting to detox after a weekend eating junk.
• Creamy Avocado and Dijon dressing – The perfect indulgent combination without any cream and mayo.
• Pairs with most veggies, grains and nuts.

For The Perfect Chicken Avocado Salad

• Be careful not to overcook the chicken, which can become too dry.
• Drizzle the dressing just before serving to avoid it being absorbed too quickly, which may lead to needing more. Adding extra dressing can introduce unwanted fats or calories, which might be a concern if you’re on a weight-loss or maintenance diet.

What You Need

• Baby spinach – Use fresh baby spinach leaves for the salad. Alternatively, you can use fresh kale or even frozen spinach.
• Rocket leaves – 1 cup rocket leaves
• Avocado – Use a ripe avocado but not too much ripe.
• Chicken breast – Grilled chicken breast
• Dressing –
  • Lemon juice – Use fresh lemon juice or lime juice. Avoid using ready-made juices.
  • Garlic – Use minced garlic minced or some garlic salt. 
  • Dijon mustard – Use Dijon mustard or any other mustard but you might need to adjust the measurement.
• Spices – To dress the chicken before grilling use sweet paprika, a dash of cayenne pepper and white pepper to enhance the taste.
• Variations –
  • Chicken – Swap the chicken with black beans.
  • Avocado – Turn the avocado into guacamole.
• Add-ons – 
  • Eggs – Add hard-boiled eggs for extra protein and indulgence. You can also use a sunny-sided up-fried egg with a dippy yolk.
  • Veggies – Add fried zucchini rounds, roasted aubergines and corn
  • Grains – Add rice, quinoa or pasta for extra carbs.
  • Healthy fats – Add a sprinkle of chopped nuts, an extra drizzle of olive oil, some feta cheese, pumpkin seeds or some toasted sesame seeds.
  • Spice – Spice it up with some homemade harissa sauce.

Saving the Corn Chicken Salad For Later

To keep the salad fresh,  separate the salad and the dressing.

• Leftovers:  Keep the greens and sliced avocado in airtight containers with a squeeze of lemon to prevent browning, and refrigerate for up to 2 days. Store grilled chicken in a separate container for up to 3 days.
• Dressing: Keep the dressing in a small jar and shake before using.

Serving the Chicken Avocado Salad Bowl

This salad works perfectly as a light lunch or dinner. For added indulgence, sprinkle nuts or seeds on top. Pair it with whole grain bread or roasted veggies for a heartier meal. I enjoy serving it with grilled eggplant, sautéed zucchini, and hard-boiled eggs for extra protein and flavor.

If you’re open to adding more carbs, try serving it with rice or pasta, like rotini, for a more filling option. This makes a perfect back-to-school light meal, and if you prepare extra portions, it’s great for packing as a lunch.

Health Info

• Calories: 220kcal
• Sugar: 1g
• Sodium: 76.5mg
• Fat: 14.8g
• Carbohydrates: 5.8g
• Fiber: 3.4g
• Protein: 17g

Note: The nutritional info is calculated without the add-ons like rice and corn.

For More Chicken Salads:

• Coronation Chicken with Grapes and Apricot Jam 
• Jamie’s Coronation Chicken Recipe with Pineapple Slices, Pomegranate seeds and Almond Flakes. This recipe by Jamie Oliver includes details on how to roast the chicken in marinate and pineapple slices.
• Delia’s Coronation Chicken Recipe with Mango Chutney and Curry Paste.
• Chicken Satay Noodle Salad with Peanut Sauce – eaten cold or warm in summer or winter. The peanut butter dressing mixed with noodles makes it the most comforting salad you can find.
• Chicken Hoisin – perfect for using in wraps.
• Ina Garden Summer Garden Salad adding grilled chicken on top.
• Creamy Chicken Mushroom Pesto Pasta – a mix of sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms drizzled with pesto. You can eat warm or cold.