Pesto Grilled Chicken Avocado Salad
This Pesto Grilled Chicken Avocado Salad provides 9g protein and 376 calories per serving—a lighter lunch suited for high-volume training days. Quick prep produces 4 servings on the stovetop, making it a side-dish option rather than a standalone meal. Use as a carb-cycling complement when your main protein comes from other sources.
Ingredients
- •Olive oil(80g)
Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.
- •Basil Pesto, Prepared(30g)
- •Lemon Juice, Fresh(30g)
- •1-2 tablespoons water ((optional -- for a thinner consistency))
- •Garlic(10g)
- •1 teaspoon salt
- •1 pinch cracked pepper (to taste)
- •Chicken Thigh, Boneless Skinless
Boneless skinless. Buy in bulk and freeze — Costco rotisserie packs work too.
- •Lettuce, Romaine(960g)
- •Cucumber
- •Tomato, Cherry(240g)
- •Yellow Onion
- •Avocado
- •Cheese, Feta, Crumbled(120g)
- •2 lemon wedges (to serve)
- •Basil Pesto, Prepared(30g)
- •2 Tablespoons Fresh Basil (Or Parsley, Chopped To Garnish)
Instructions
- 1Whisk together all of the dressing ingredients in a large jug. Pour out half of the dressing into a large, shallow dish. Refrigerate the remaining UNTOUCHED marinade to use as a dressing later.
- 2Add the chicken to the marinade in the bowl; marinade chicken for 15-30 minutes (or up to two hours in the refrigerator if time allows). While waiting for the chicken, prepare all of the salad ingredients and mix in a large salad bowl.
- 3Once chicken is ready, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a grill pan or a grill plate over medium-high heat. Grill chicken on both sides until browned and completely cooked through.
- 4Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes; slice and arrange over salad. Drizzle salad with the remaining UNTOUCHED dressing. Serve with lemon wedges, extra basil pesto AND chopped basil or parsley, to garnish.
Nutrition — Per Serving
376
calories
9g
protein
33g
fat
- Carbohydrates
- 14g
- Saturated fat
- 7.9g
- Sodium
- 455 mg
- Dietary fiber
- 6.1g
4 servings per batch · ~375g each
Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central
AI Swap Engine
Set up your profile to enable swaps →Common questions
How much protein does Pesto Grilled Chicken Avocado Salad have per serving?
Each serving has 9g of protein and 376 calories, with 33g fat and 14g carbs. This is a lower-protein option that works better as a side or lighter meal rather than a standalone protein source.
How long does Pesto Grilled Chicken Avocado Salad take to prep?
Quick prep time on the stovetop with 4 servings per batch makes this salad fast to assemble for lighter meals. You'll have 4 portions ready without extended cooking or preparation.
Is Pesto Grilled Chicken Avocado Salad good for fat loss?
At 376 calories per serving with only 9g protein, this salad is better used as a side dish alongside a higher-protein main during fat loss phases. The protein content is too low to serve as your primary protein source when cutting.
