Description

This Honey-Lime Chicken and Avocado Salad is a vibrant and flavorful dish featuring juicy seared chicken thighs marinated in a zesty honey-lime mixture, served atop a crisp romaine lettuce base with fresh cherry tomatoes, red onion, and creamy avocado. Tossed in a sweet and tangy honey-lime dressing, this salad is perfect for a refreshing yet satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken Marinade

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

Salad

1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
½ red onion, thinly sliced
2 avocados, chopped

Dressing

4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
4 tablespoons lime juice

Instructions

Prepare the marinade: In a medium bowl, mix together olive oil, salt, minced garlic, minced jalapeño, chili powder, honey, and lime juice to create the marinade for the chicken.
Marinate the chicken: Add the boneless chicken thighs to the marinade, tossing to coat evenly. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least one hour to absorb the flavors.
Cook the chicken: Heat a cast-iron skillet over high heat. Place the marinated chicken thighs in the skillet and cook for roughly four minutes on each side until a nice sear forms on the surface and the chicken is cooked through with no pink inside. Remove the chicken and set aside to rest.
Prepare the salad base: In a large salad bowl, combine chopped romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onions, and chopped avocados.
Slice the chicken: Slice the cooked chicken thighs into strips or bite-sized pieces and add them to the salad bowl.
Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, salt, pepper, and lime juice until well combined.
Toss and serve: Pour the dressing over the salad and chicken, then toss everything gently to coat. Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
Enjoy: Dig in and enjoy this fresh and flavorful honey-lime chicken and avocado salad!

Notes

Marinating the chicken for longer than one hour can enhance the flavor further.
Use ripe avocados for a creamier texture in the salad.
If you prefer less heat, remove the seeds from the jalapeño before mincing.
Substitute chicken thighs with chicken breasts if you prefer leaner meat, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
This salad is best served fresh; avoid making it too far in advance to prevent the avocado from browning.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Category: Salad
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Honey Lime Chicken Salad, Avocado Salad, Chicken Thigh Salad, Healthy Chicken Salad, Easy Dinner Salad, Summer Salad