Summer Chicken Salad

Name: Summer Chicken Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: Juice from one lime; 2 teaspoons grainy mustard; Pinch each of salt and pepper; ¼ cup olive oil; 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar (optional!); 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded into bite sized pieces; 1 avocado, peeled and cut into chunks; Kernels from 2 ears of corn (about a cup); 1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half; ¼ cup basil, chopped, plus extra for garnish

Jump to Recipe

This speedy recipe for summer chicken salad pairs tender shredded chicken with fresh corn and tomatoes in a light dressing for the perfect summer meal!

Jump to:

Why we love this recipe ❤️
Ingredients you need 🌽
Ingredient notes and substitutions 📝
How to make this recipe 👩🏻‍🍳
Recipe FAQs 🧐
Equipment we used for this recipe 🥣
Other chicken salad recipes we love! 💗
We want to know what you think! 🤔
Summer Chicken Salad

Why we love this recipe ❤️

Say hello to my current chicken salad crush, otherwise known as the millionth reason for you to always make extra when you are grilling chicken.

If you have some grilled chicken left over, (or if you pick up a handy rotisserie chicken at your grocery store) this colorful recipe recipe takes about 15 minutes (and exactly no cooking) to go from a twinkle in your eye to sitting on the table in front of your lucky salad eaters.

And best of all, it takes full advantage of two of my favorite veggies, corn and tomatoes! Along with some cheery basil (and because I couldn’t help myself, chunks of creamy avocado), all tossed with a light mustard lime dressing that makes it good and good for you.

Ingredients you need 🌽

Ingredients needed for Summer Chicken Salad.

Ingredient notes and substitutions 📝

Corn: Fresh local corn is always our first choice for this recipe! But thawed frozen corn will also work.
Chicken: Cooked shredded chicken from either leftover chicken or a rotisserie chicken is what we go for. You can use either light or dark meat…or a combo. Feel free to use more chicken than the recipe calls for if you have hungry eaters.
Tomatoes: We love cherry tomatoes for this recipe because they are so easy to cut up, but regular chopped tomatoes will also work. You can add or swap in any veggies that you like! Peas, baby spinach, chopped zucchini and broccoli are all great choices. If you are using a sturdier veggie like squash or broccoli you may want to cook it first before adding it.
Balsamic Vinegar: This salad has a mild dressing made of lime juice and olive oil – if you want to give it a little more zing, drizzle in a little of this syrupy vinegar.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities and nutritional information.

How to make this recipe 👩🏻‍🍳

STEP 1: As promised, this is a super quick, no cooking deal! First make the dressing: put the lime juice, mustard, salt, pepper and olive oil in a small jar and shake shake shake it up! Drizzle in a little balsamic vinegar if you want a little extra flavor.

STEP 2: Next, shred up some cooked chicken and pop it in a bowl with some fresh corn, chopped tomatoes and avocado chunks and gently mix together. (I find this is easiest with clean hands). Drizzle on the dressing until it is dressed to your liking – taste as you go – then grind on some extra black pepper and divide among plates.

STEP 3: Sprinkle on some basil and you are good to go!

Recipe FAQs 🧐

What is the best way to cut kernels off of ears of corn?

Spread a dishtowel out on your counter (this is to catch the runaway kernels that like to bounce away), put a shallow bowl on the cloth and firmly hold the top of the ear of corn in one hand in the center of the bowl – it doesn’t matter which end. Use a paring knife in a zig-zag motion to cut the kernels off in strips until you have gotten all the kernels off.

Do I need to cook the corn first?

Nope! Fresh corn is delicious straight off the cob. However, if you want to cook it, cut the kernels off first and then cook them in simmering water for 2-3 minutes and that should do it!

Can this recipe be made ahead of time?

It can, mostly! Make the dressing but save it to drizzle on right before you serve it, and you will also want to peel and cut up the avocado at the last minute because they tend to get brown quickly.

What is balsamic vinegar?

Balsamic vinegar is a dark, rich sweet and syrupy Italian vinegar made from cooked and crushed grape juice. Look for it with the other vinegars in your grocery store and keep in mind that a very little goes a long delicious way!

Have a question that I didn’t cover?

Pop your question in the Comments section under the recipe card and I will answer pronto!

Equipment we used for this recipe 🥣

These are some of my favorite kitchen tools! These are Amazon affiliate links, which means I get a little something if you buy through my links at no extra cost to you. (Which helps pay for all that bacon I keep buying! 😄) And I only share things I use and love. I’m so grateful for your support!

Measuring Cup: We love these angled cups that show the measurements on both the inside and outside of the cup.
Cutting Board: These sturdy, dishwasher-safe cutting boards come in all different sizes.
Dish Towels: We have a drawer full of these sturdy, absorbent towels.
Pyrex Mixing Bowls: These classic sturdy bowls come in all different sizes and are great for everything from mixing ingredients to being casual serving bowls.
Paring Knife: This all-purpose knife is perfect for cutting off those tender kernels of corn.
Mason Jars As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.: Oh, the ever helpful mason jar! Just right for shaking up salad dressings, storing ingredients, and eating slow cooker brownie pudding out of!

Other chicken salad recipes we love! 💗

We want to know what you think! 🤔

If you try this recipe, we would love to hear how it came out for you! I’d be super grateful if you could leave a star rating (you pick how many stars! 🌟 ) and your thoughts in the Comments section under the recipe card.