The Best Mayo Swap For Creamier, Fresher-Tasting Chicken Salads

Chicken salad is often at the top of our list as the weather begins to warm up, and we start to crave lighter, fresher meals. There are many ways to amp up chicken salad, and one of the best has nothing to do with mayonnaise. While traditional chicken salad recipes rely heavily on mayonnaise to provide a creamy texture and depth of flavor, there is a lighter and tastier option: Avocado.

When it comes to creating a traditional chicken salad, mayonnaise is a non-negotiable for most. However, mayo isn't for everyone and that is fine. Where mayo is a great substitute for butter, avocados are the best substitute for mayo. When mashed, blended, or diced into a chicken salad, avocados can provide the same creaminess and a similar flavor as mayo. It's high in healthy fats; plus, it has a smooth and silky texture that can make your chicken salad feel decadent and indulgent — all while staying healthy.

One of the great things about using avocados as a mayo swap is that it is incredibly easy to do. It all relies on how the avocado is worked into the recipe. Diced avocado is the most ideal way to integrate avocado into a chicken salad because the avocado pieces will soften as it's mixed in, dispersing the avocado throughout. For a creamier result, try mashing the avocado first instead — as if you're making guacamole.

Swapping out the mayo for avocado can transform any chicken salad into a culinary masterpiece. For those who really want to mimic the exact texture of mayo, you'll need to blend the avocado. If following this quick and easy chicken salad recipe, add in chopped celery, onion, sweet relish, and a splash of vinegar for extra tang and flavor. Experiment with different herbs and spices to add even more depth to your dish.

Avocados have had their moment in recent years, and it's not difficult to see why. On toast, in smoothies, or on their own, the trendiness of avocados lies in the ways the humble fruit can add a unique taste, texture, and color to almost any dish. However, before you can even think to add avocado to your chicken salad, you must be able to pick the best one. First, look for avocados with a color that ranges from "very dark green to dark brown to eggplant purple," according to Martha Stewart. With a gentle squeeze, the avocado should give slightly, indicating that the meat inside is firm enough to withstand tossing without breaking down too much in the chicken salad.

Now that you've picked the best avocado — and when you can successfully catch it at its optimal ripeness – avocado can be used as the perfect substitute for mayo, replicating a creamy, rich texture well. It's the reason guacamole works, and why it will excel in your next chicken salad.