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Healthy Chicken Bacon Avocado Salad - A Fresh, Satisfying Meal

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Total Time 27 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • For the Salad:
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped or shredded (rotisserie or grilled)
  • 4 slices center-cut bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
  • 1 large avocado, diced
  • 6 cups mixed greens (romaine, spinach, or spring mix)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 1 small cucumber, sliced or chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chives, or cilantro)
  • Optional add-ins: 1/4 cup crumbled feta or cotija, 1/4 cup roasted corn, 2 tablespoons toasted pumpkin seeds
  • For the Lemon-Garlic Dressing:
  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (plus zest from 1/2 lemon)
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 small garlic clove, finely grated or minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt, plus more to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Method
 

  1. Cook the bacon. Bake at 400°F (205°C) for 12–15 minutes or pan-cook until crisp. Drain on paper towels and crumble. For a lighter touch, use center-cut or turkey bacon.
  2. Prep the chicken. Use leftover rotisserie, or season chicken breast with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then grill or pan-sear until cooked through. Let it rest, then chop or shred.
  3. Make the dressing. In a small jar or bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, zest, Dijon, garlic, honey, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and lemon as needed.
  4. Chop the veggies. Halve cherry tomatoes, slice onion, chop cucumber, and dice avocado last to keep it fresh.
  5. Build the base. Add greens to a large bowl and toss with 1–2 tablespoons of dressing to lightly coat. This keeps the salad from tasting flat.
  6. Add the toppings. Layer on chicken, bacon, tomatoes, onion, cucumber, and herbs. Gently add avocado.
  7. Finish and serve. Drizzle with more dressing and toss lightly. Season with a final pinch of salt and pepper. Add optional cheese or seeds if using.
  8. Make it a meal. Serve as is, or pair with whole-grain toast or quinoa for extra staying power.