When it comes to creating a meal that is both light and satisfying, the Seared Chicken Tenderloin and Avocado Salad hits all the right notes. This vibrant dish combines the tender richness of seared chicken with the creamy goodness of avocado, along with crisp greens and a zesty lime dressing to bring everything together. Whether you’re looking for a healthy lunch or a light dinner, this salad offers a delightful balance of flavors, textures, and nutrients.

A Burst of Freshness in Every Bite

The beauty of this salad lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient shines on its own while complementing the others, creating a perfect harmony of taste and texture. The tender chicken adds heartiness to the dish, while the creamy avocado provides a luxurious mouthfeel. Cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and corn add a refreshing crunch, and the red onion brings a mild sharpness that keeps things interesting.

To top it off, the dressing—made with lime juice, olive oil, and a touch of honey or agave—gives the salad a tangy, slightly sweet finish that enhances every bite. It’s a perfect way to elevate your salad game while keeping things light and healthy.

Ingredients That Make a Difference

Here’s a quick look at the key ingredients that make this Seared Chicken Tenderloin and Avocado Salad a winner:

Chicken Tenderloin: Lean, juicy, and easy to cook, chicken tenderloin is the protein that makes this salad filling without being too heavy.
Avocado: Known for its creamy texture and healthy fats, avocado adds richness to the salad while keeping it wholesome.
Cherry Tomatoes: Their natural sweetness and juiciness brighten up the dish, making each bite burst with flavor.
Cucumber: Light and refreshing, cucumber provides a cool crunch that balances the richness of the avocado and chicken.
Corn: Adding a touch of sweetness, corn also contributes to the variety of textures, whether you use fresh, canned, or frozen kernels.
Mixed Greens: A blend of greens such as arugula, spinach, and romaine serves as the fresh, crunchy base of this salad.

The Dressing: Zesty and Delicious

The dressing for this salad is both simple and flavorful, featuring fresh lime juice, olive oil, garlic, and just a hint of honey for sweetness. This tangy dressing pulls together the different flavors in the salad, making every mouthful a delicious experience.

Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing the Salad

Cook the Chicken: Start by seasoning the chicken tenderloin with olive oil, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes for a little kick. Sear the chicken in a hot skillet until golden brown and fully cooked, then set it aside to cool.
Prepare the Veggies: Dice the avocado and cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and blanch the corn if you’re using fresh kernels.
Make the Dressing: Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, and a touch of honey in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, toss the mixed greens, avocado, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and corn. Top with the sliced chicken tenderloin.
Dress the Salad: Drizzle the lime dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat all the ingredients evenly. Garnish with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley if desired.

A Dish for Every Occasion

This Seared Chicken Tenderloin and Avocado Salad is perfect for any occasion—whether you’re hosting a lunch with friends or looking for a quick and nutritious weeknight meal. It’s light enough to keep you feeling refreshed but packed with enough protein and healthy fats to keep you satisfied.

The next time you’re in the mood for a salad that’s as nutritious as it is delicious, give this recipe a try. You’ll enjoy a refreshing, flavorful meal that’s full of wholesome ingredients and bursting with zest!

Happy cooking, and bon appétit!

Seared Chicken Tenderloin and Avocado Salad

Author: Alice

Print Recipe

Description

Elevate your salad game with this vibrant and healthy Seared Chicken Tenderloin and Avocado Salad. Packed with fresh ingredients and a zesty lime dressing, this dish is perfect for a light lunch or dinner. Enjoy a balance of flavors and textures with the tenderness of chicken, creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, and crisp greens, all brought together with a hint of spice.

Ingredients

– 1 lb chicken tenderloin, sliced
– 2 ripe avocados, diced
– 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– 1/2 cucumber, diced
– 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
– 4 cups mixed greens such as arugula, spinach, or romaine
– 1/2 cup corn kernels, fresh, canned, or thawed frozen
– 1 tbsp olive oil for cooking the chicken
– Salt and pepper, to taste
– Red pepper flakes optional, for a bit of spice

For the Dressing:
– 2 tbsp fresh lime juice
– 3 tbsp olive oil
– 1 clove garlic, minced
– 1 tsp honey or agave syrup optional, for sweetness
– Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Cook the Chicken:
1. In a bowl, toss the chicken tenderloin with olive oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using.
2. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until the chicken is golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from heat and set aside.

Prepare the Salad:
1. Dice the avocados and cucumber.
2. Halve the cherry tomatoes.
3. Thinly slice the red onion.
4. If using fresh corn, quickly blanch it in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then cool under cold water.

Make the Dressing:
1. In a small bowl, whisk together fresh lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, honey or agave syrup if using, salt, and pepper until well combined.

Assemble the Salad:
1. In a large salad bowl, combine the mixed greens, diced avocado, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and corn kernels.
2. Add the cooked chicken tenderloin slices on top.

Dress the Salad:
1. Drizzle the lime dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat all ingredients evenly.

Garnish and Serve:
1. Garnish the salad with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley if desired.
2. Serve immediately and enjoy a fresh, zesty salad!