🥗🌿 Healthy Ranch Chicken Salad
This ranch chicken salad is loaded with tender chicken, crunchy vegetables, creamy avocado, and a zesty ranch dressing. It’s the kind of meal that makes you feel full and energized without weighing you down. Perfect for lunches, light dinners, or a potluck dish that everyone will devour.
🍽️ Servings
Serves 4
🛒 Ingredients
For the Salad:
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into small bite-sized pieces
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups packed greens (romaine, baby spinach, or mixed lettuce)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cucumber, sliced
- ½ avocado, diced
- ½ cup corn (fresh, canned, or thawed from frozen)
- ¼ red onion, thinly sliced
- Fresh dill or parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
For the Dressing (Simple Ranch-Style):
- 3 Tbsp Greek yogurt or plain yogurt
- 2 Tbsp mayonnaise (or sub all yogurt for lighter option)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp dried dill or parsley
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Salt & black pepper, to taste
👨🍳 Instructions
- Cook the Chicken:
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 6–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Set aside to cool slightly. - Mix the Dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayo, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, herbs, and season with salt and pepper. - Assemble the Salad:
In a large bowl, layer your greens, tomatoes, cucumber, corn, avocado, red onion, and cooked chicken. - Dress It Up:
Drizzle the ranch dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat everything evenly. - Finish & Serve:
Top with fresh herbs and serve immediately, or chill for a few minutes for a refreshing cold salad.
💡 Notes & Tips
- Meal prep tip: Keep dressing separate until ready to eat to avoid sogginess.
- Dairy-free? Use a vegan ranch or replace yogurt/mayo with avocado and lemon juice.
- Want extra crunch? Add sliced almonds, sunflower seeds, or croutons.
- Make it spicy: Add a few dashes of hot sauce to the dressing or top with chili flakes.
- Low-carb/keto? Skip the corn or swap it for diced bell pepper.
✅ Health Benefits
- High-protein from chicken and yogurt helps with satiety and muscle recovery
- Good fats from avocado and olive oil support heart health
- Fiber & vitamins from the fresh vegetables
- Greek yogurt provides probiotics for gut health
- Balanced meal: lean protein, healthy fats, and nutrient-dense veggies
🍴 Nutritional Info (Per serving, approx.)
- Calories: 350–400
- Protein: 30g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbs: 10–15g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: ~500mg (varies with seasoning and dressing)
❓ Q&A
Q: Can I make it ahead of time?
A: Yes! Just store components separately, especially the dressing and avocado.
Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken?
A: Absolutely. It’s a great shortcut for busy days.
Q: What’s a good side dish with this?
A: Whole grain pita, couscous, quinoa, or a small bowl of soup.
Q: Can I turn this into a wrap or sandwich?
A: Totally! Just stuff into a whole wheat wrap or sandwich between multigrain bread.
Let me know if you’d like a printable meal prep version, a vegan alternative, or ideas for turning this into a mason jar salad!