Honey-Lime Chicken and Avocado Salad Recipe
This Honey-Lime Chicken and Avocado Salad is a vibrant and refreshing dish featuring tender, marinated chicken thighs perfectly seared to lock in flavor, paired with crisp romaine lettuce, ripe avocados, and juicy cherry tomatoes. Tossed in a zesty honey-lime dressing, this salad offers a delightful balance of sweetness, spice, and acidity—a perfect meal for a light lunch or dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 23 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless chicken thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, minced
- ½ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 4 tablespoons lime juice
For the Salad:
- 1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
- ½ cup cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- 2 avocados, chopped
For the Dressing:
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 4 tablespoons lime juice
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine olive oil, salt, minced garlic, jalapeño, chili powder, honey, and lime juice. Add the boneless chicken thighs and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the flavors to infuse.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a cast-iron skillet over high heat until hot. Add the marinated chicken thighs and sear for about four minutes on each side until a nice browned crust forms and the interior is no longer pink. Remove from heat and set aside to rest.
- Prepare the Salad Base: In a large salad bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, and chopped avocados, creating a colorful and textured mix.
- Slice the Chicken: Once the chicken has rested, slice the thighs into bite-sized pieces and add them to the salad bowl, ensuring even distribution.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, salt, pepper, and lime juice until emulsified and smooth.
- Toss and Serve: Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly. Serve immediately to enjoy the fresh, vibrant flavors.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for longer (up to 4 hours) for more intense flavor.
- Adjust the level of jalapeño according to your preferred spice tolerance.
- Use ripe avocados for the best creamy texture.
- This salad is best enjoyed fresh; dressing the salad right before serving prevents wilting.
- If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, use any heavy-bottomed skillet for searing.
Keywords: Honey lime chicken, avocado salad, healthy chicken salad, easy chicken salad recipe, grilled chicken salad, fresh summer salad, gluten free salad
