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Avocado BBQ Chicken Salad Zucchini Boats

March 15, 2014 by Julie 443 Comments

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Today’s lunch is definitely worth sharing. We made avocado BBQ chicken salad zucchini boats. It’s packed with vegetables, protein and flavor and Ryan and I both thought it was fantastic!

BBQ Chicken Salad Zucchini Boats

When we arrived home from a late morning hike with Sadie, I got to work in the kitchen while Ryan worked around the house. I was recently sent coupons to try the new all natural Dole chopped salad kits and encouraged to create my “best dunkable recipe” using the salad kits in honor of the kickoff of March Madness! (Stay tuned for a giveaway at the bottom of this post!)

Dole Chopped Salad BBQ Ranch

Yesterday I picked up the BBQ ranch chopped salad kit at the grocery store and on today’s hike with Ryan, I wasn’t sure how I would transform my salad into a dunkable recipe until Ryan suggested making zucchini boats! I loved the idea and tried my best to keep my recipe healthy by incorporating avocados into the mix rather than mayonnaise when I made the BBQ chicken salad that I used to fill the boats.

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Avocado BBQ Chicken Salad Zucchini Boats

Avocado BBQ Chicken Salad Zucchini Boats

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Avocado BBQ Chicken Salad Zucchini Boats

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  • Author: Julie (PB Fingers)
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 10 Zucchini Boats 1x
  • Category: lunch, recipes
  • Cuisine: lunch
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Description

Such a yummy lunch that is packed with vegetables, protein and flavor!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 bag Dole All Natural BBQ Ranch Chopped Salad Kit
  • 2 cups pulled chicken
  • 1 cup raw sweet corn (approximately two ears)
  • 2 avocados, thoroughly mashed with pits removed
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
  • Juice of 1/2 lime
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons BBQ sauce
  • 5 zucchini, sliced in half with centers removed

Instructions

  1. Open Dole salad kit and place all ingredients except for the BBQ ranch salad dressing into a large bowl.
  2. Add chicken and raw sweet corn to the salad.
  3. In a small bowl, combine mashed avocados, pepper, salt, lime juice and olive oil and stir.
  4. Add avocado mixture to chicken salad mixture and thoroughly combine.
  5. Add BBQ sauce to the salad and stir until properly combined.
  6. Scoop chicken salad into zucchini boats and serve with the BBQ ranch dressing if you wish. You may wish to simply drizzle the BBQ ranch dressing on top of the zucchini boats or you may need to add additional BBQ ranch dressing for dipping.
  7. Enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?

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Avocado BBQ Chicken Salad Zucchini Boats

This recipe was crunchy, flavorful and filling! Since it makes a large amount, I am already looking forward to leftovers tomorrow!

Dole gave me permission to share two more delicious-looking dunkable recipe with you guys just in case you’re on the lookout for something delicious to make for an upcoming March Madness party!

Avocado Spring Roles

Avocado Spring Rolls

Ingredients

  • 1/2 pkg (12-oz) DOLE® Chopped Asian Blend
  • 3 medium DOLE Green Onions, trimmed and thinly sliced, include one-inch of the darker green leaves
  • 1/4 cup DOLE Carrots, julienne sliced
  • 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1 tablespoon Asian sweet chili sauce
  • 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 medium ripe avocado, seeded
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • 6 (8-inch) spring roll wrappers
  • 12 fresh basil leaves
  • Dipping Sauce (recipe below)

Dipping Sauce:
Whisk together 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger and 1 teaspoon roasted sesame seeds.

Directions

  1. Combine salad blend, onions, carrots, rice vinegar, cilantro, sweet chili sauce, ginger and salt.  Toss well and set aside.
  2. Mash avocado with lime juice and set aside.
  3. Soak two spring roll wrappers at a time in warm water 15 to 20 seconds or until just softened.  Remove from water and gently pat dry with a paper towel.
  4. Place wrappers on work surface.  Spread avocado mixture (1×6-inch rectangle) along the edge closest to you, leaving a one-inch border on both sides.  Top avocado mixture with 1/3 cup salad mixture and two basil leaves. Roll it up like a burrito: fold side over the filling and roll up the spring roll.  Repeat this step until all spring rolls are made.
  5. Serve spring rolls with dipping sauce.
  6. Tip: If you are not serving them right away, cover them with a damp towel and wrap them tightly in plastic wrap.  Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Dunkable Dip

Super Dunk

Ingredients:

  • 1 pkg. (8 oz.) low-fat cream cheese or Neufchatel cheese, softened
  • 2 cups DOLE® Chopped Asian Blend, coarsely chopped, divided
  • 1/4 cup diced DOLE Red Onion
  • 2 tablespoons chopped pickled jalapeno, to taste
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons lime juice
  • 1-1/4 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup flaxseeds
  • Offer a variety of accompaniments such as:
    • Roasted vegetables – sweet potato slices, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower
    • Raw vegetables – baby carrots, broccoli, radishes, red pepper or snap peas
    • Baked crackers – lentil, seaweed or other whole grain crackers

Directions

  1. Beat cream cheese in mixing bowl, until light and fluffy.  Slowly add in 1 cup salad blend, onion, jalapeno, cilantro, olive oil, lime juice, cumin and salt, until blended.
  2. Mold mixture into a ball and roll in remaining salad blend. Sprinkle with flaxseeds.
  3. Transfer ball to serving plate and surround with assorted raw or roasted vegetables and crackers.
  4. Tip: Make ahead and refrigerate until just before game time. Use a variety of colorful vegetables and grain-based baked crackers to convert your toughest chip-and-dip armchair competitor.

Dole Giveaway

And now it’s time for a giveaway! I think the salad lovers out there will like this one!

One PBF reader will win the following:

  • Five free Dole salad coupons
  • Two Eating Well cookbooks
  • Tote bag
  • Chopping block

To enter this giveaway, answer one (or all) of the following questions:

  1. What is your favorite kind of salad?
  2. What teams do you think will be in the Final Four?
  3. And a fun March Madness trivia question from Ryan: Who offered $1 billion dollars for a perfect bracket?

I will randomly select a winner on Monday morning.

Good luck!

Be sure to follow PBFingers on Instagram and Facebook!

I'd love to connect with you! I am always so grateful when you let me know you tried one of my recipes or workouts and tag me in your photos or updates. Thank you so much!!!

Filed Under: Chicken/Turkey Recipes, Lunch, Recipes, Salad Recipes Tagged With: avocado, avocado chicken salad, chicken salad, Recipes

About Julie

My name is Julie and I am a full-time blogger, new mama, fitness enthusiast (certified personal trainer and group exercise instructor) and food fanatic (mostly healthy... but also not-so-healthy) living in North Carolina with my husband, dog and baby boy. Thank you for visiting Peanut Butter Fingers! I hope you enjoy little glimpses into my life and have fun trying the sweaty workouts I frequently share and making some of my favorite recipes along the way!

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Comments

  1. Amy@ahealthyandhappyheart says

    March 16, 2014 at 12:23 pm

    All those recipes look amazing! I love buffalo chicken salads and they are on the menu for dinner tonight!

    Reply
  2. Julie says

    March 16, 2014 at 12:24 pm

    My absolute favorite is a Caesar salad with anchovies. Those boats look fantastic, btw!

    Reply
  3. april says

    March 16, 2014 at 12:32 pm

    greek salad 🙂

    Reply
  4. Angie Ouhl says

    March 16, 2014 at 12:38 pm

    I am pulling for Ohio State! My favorite salad is one with an Asian twist.

    Reply
  5. Court Star @ StarSystemz Fitness says

    March 16, 2014 at 12:54 pm

    YUMMY! Those salads look DELISH and the boats WOAH amazing idea! One question though is Dole organic? That is HUGE in my book all greens should be organic at all costs? Let me know xo C

    Reply
  6. Jen @ Impossible Jen says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:00 pm

    I had a winter kale salad at Tractor Foods in Vancouver last weekend. Kale, radicchio, borlotti beans, toasted pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, asiago cheese, creamy lemon dressing, so good!

    Reply
  7. Jessica y says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:02 pm

    Love me a jam packed Cobb salad!

    Reply
  8. Becky says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    My favorite is a Cherry Chicken salad. I make mine on with grilled chicken, dried cherries, gorgonzola cheese, red onion, walnuts, and balsamic vinaigrette.

    Reply
  9. Amanda B. says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:08 pm

    Wow, those little boats look delicious and perfect (healthy!) snack for March Madness – which is by far the best time of the year!

    1. My favorite kind of salad is anything asian infused – I really love ahi tuna salads!
    2. Wow, that’s a really hard question! I follow college BB religiously and I think this year is totally up for grabs but here’s my guess: Florida, Iowa State, Michigan State, Creighton. All depends on that bracket though!
    3. Warren Buffet!

    Reply
  10. Alyssa says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:17 pm

    I like taco salads with avocado black beans and chicken!

    Reply
  11. Ashley says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:22 pm

    Champagne Chicken Salad is one of my favorites.
    I think Duke, Syracuse, Wichita State and Florida are my hopes for the Final Four
    And if I’m right, maybe Warren Buffet will pay me the Billion dollars$$.

    Thanks for a fun recipe. I am going to try the Avocado Zuchinni Boats.

    Reply
  12. Dana says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:23 pm

    This looks amazing! Such a fresh, summery meal! My favourite type of salad is quinoa and red bean salad. But for a quick fresh salad I always made fresh mixed greens (lettuce, kale, baby spinach), with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, feta, and almonds or walnuts, and chia seeds – with few fresh squeezed lemon slices for dressing. So good 🙂

    Reply
  13. Livi says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:24 pm

    My favorite salad is definitely a chopped salad! Anything goes 🙂 sweet potatoes, peppers, carrots, broccoli, goat cheese, berries.. so many options!

    Reply
  14. Maureen says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:25 pm

    My favorite salad is one with a balance of spinach and romaine lettuce in it along with a bunch of vegetables and some chicken! I just started my own fitness blog and I would love it if you would check it out! http://mosfitnessadventures.blogspot.com

    Reply
  15. Megan says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:28 pm

    This time of year I love mixed green or spinach salads with fresh Florida strawberries, avocado chunks, some kind of walnuts or sunflower seeds, and homemade honey mustard dressing. Yum.

    Reply
  16. Megan Rose says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:29 pm

    1. Any kind of chopped salad!
    2. Arizona, Kansas, Syracuse, Duke
    3. Warren Buffet through Quicken Loans

    Reply
  17. julie o says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:40 pm

    I love a cobb salad with fresh ingredients.

    Reply
  18. julie o says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:40 pm

    Michigan State will be hard to beat!!

    Reply
  19. julie o says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    Warren Buffet is offering the Billion Dollar Bracket…..watched him on CNBC Friday!

    Reply
  20. Corinne says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:50 pm

    My favorite salad at the moment is the chickpea salad you posted about last week! Tastes so fresh, feels like spring!

    Reply
  21. Alicia says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    I love Crab Louie! Warren Buffet offered 1 billion dollars. Go Zags!

    Reply
  22. Stacey S. says

    March 16, 2014 at 2:06 pm

    I love a spinach salad with strawberries!

    Reply
  23. Christine says

    March 16, 2014 at 2:13 pm

    I always love a good Greek salad, mostly because I love olives! If I had it my way, I would have Duke (winning it all), Arizona, Syracuse, and whoever the #15 seed in the South Bracket. Warren Buffet is the man that’s offering up the money for a perfect bracket.

    Reply
  24. Autumn says

    March 16, 2014 at 2:22 pm

    I think the answer to Rhabs question is Quicken Loans. I love steak salads, and I’m from Pittsburgh….did you know that in this area all steak salads are served with French fries on top?!

    Reply
    • Autumn says

      March 16, 2014 at 2:23 pm

      What a typo…clearly I meant Ryan, lol

      Reply
  25. Julie says

    March 16, 2014 at 2:24 pm

    I love taco salads!!

    Reply
  26. Clarice says

    March 16, 2014 at 2:34 pm

    Warren Buffet is offering the billion for a perfect bracket! A few of my roommates go crazy for March Madness so that’s the reason I know!

    Reply
  27. Kathleen says

    March 16, 2014 at 2:42 pm

    (1) Greek salad 🙂 ….. And (3) Warren Buffett!

    Reply
  28. Kate says

    March 16, 2014 at 2:45 pm

    I’ve always been super minimalist with my salads – can’t go wrong with spinach, mixed greens, walnuts, cranberries, and some balsamic!

    Reply
  29. Ashley says

    March 16, 2014 at 2:46 pm

    I love southwestern salads with black beans, corn, avocado and lots of veggies!

    Reply
  30. Jennifer Henshall says

    March 16, 2014 at 2:51 pm

    My favorite salad is one with lots of green leaf lettuce, tomatoes, red/yellow/or orange peppers, onions, grilled chicken, cheese, croutons and Bolthouse Farms Honey Mustard Dressing (thanks to your recommendation!). I could eat salad everyday — especially in the summer!

    Reply
  31. Courtney says

    March 16, 2014 at 3:02 pm

    My favorite salad is a greek salad; love those kalamata olives! But BBQ chicken salads are definitely near the top of my list and zucchini is my favorite vegetable, so I’m loving this recipe!

    Reply
  32. Keri says

    March 16, 2014 at 3:05 pm

    My fave is taco salad!

    Reply
  33. Julia C. says

    March 16, 2014 at 3:05 pm

    My favorite salad is from a small bakery cafe on a farm near my home. It contains salad greens (of course), along with cucumbers, red onions, strawberries, craisins, feta cheese, pine nuts, and a delicious homemade honey white balsamic vinaigrette dressing! Oh goodness, now I’m reeeeeally craving one!

    Reply
  34. Layla says

    March 16, 2014 at 3:07 pm

    I love Greek salads. I also love a salad with feta, cranberries, and balsamic vinaigrette. Love the salty sweet combo

    Reply
  35. Jane says

    March 16, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    My favorite salad is anything that incorporates fruit into it! Love a salad with strawberries or grapes! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

    Reply
  36. Louise says

    March 16, 2014 at 3:24 pm

    I love fresh greek salad with salami and oil and vinegar! I love when it’s all chopped thin and mixes well! 🙂 I also love any salads with lots of fruit and goat cheese. I HOPE the florida gators (my alma mater) along with Duke, syracuse and I will probably include a small town team! I

    Reply
  37. Amelia says

    March 16, 2014 at 3:25 pm

    Those zucchini boats look great! And Warren Buffett (and quicken loans) made the offer.

    Reply
  38. Jessica says

    March 16, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    The zucchini boats look delicious! Can’t wait to give this a try! I love salads with loads of olives, artichokes, peppers, tomatoes and a delicious balsamic to top it off! 🙂

    Reply
  39. Ashlee says

    March 16, 2014 at 3:57 pm

    Spinach salad with tuna, celery and peppers with bv

    Reply
  40. Sara says

    March 16, 2014 at 4:01 pm

    Whenever I see an ahi tuna salad on a menu, I just have to order it! When I’m home, I love a simple spinach salad with goat cheese, carrots, mushrooms and tomatoes:)

    Reply
  41. Gretchen says

    March 16, 2014 at 4:03 pm

    My favorite salad is one made with spinach, fruit, nuts and cheese such as strawberries, blueberries, candied almonds and goat cheese. I think the final four teams with be Florida (Go Gators!), Arizona, Virginia and Duke. Warren Buffett made the offer! 🙂

    Reply
  42. Kacee Babinger says

    March 16, 2014 at 4:06 pm

    Quicken Loans offered the billion dollars!

    Reply
  43. Rebeka says

    March 16, 2014 at 4:22 pm

    I love salads with bleu cheese, pears and candied walnuts!

    Reply
  44. Jordan kitchens says

    March 16, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    I love the Dole chopped BBQ ranch salad. Never thought to add chicken and make it a more complete meal. Also, Warren Buffet offered the billion dollars. 🙂

    Reply
  45. Kari F says

    March 16, 2014 at 4:42 pm

    In answer to question #1, my favorite salad is taco salad. I love to add avocado and use salsa as the dressing. As for questions #2 and 3, I do not follow college basketball closely so no good answers for those.

    Reply
  46. Krista says

    March 16, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    My perfect salad is arugula, candied nuts, gorgonzola cheese, dried fruit, and grilled chicken with balsamic vinaigrette!

    Reply
  47. Kate @ Baking in Yoga Pants says

    March 16, 2014 at 4:44 pm

    The Final Four this year – Syracuse, Michigan State, Iowa, and Iowa State. Can you tell that I’m originally from Iowa?! Haha 🙂

    Reply
  48. Amy says

    March 16, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    I like my salads to be simple – some greens, vegetables and grilled chicken.

    Reply
  49. Kendra says

    March 16, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    I never really met a salad I didn’t love. Lately it’s been Asian chicken.

    Reply
  50. Katie says

    March 16, 2014 at 4:57 pm

    Hi! I’ll answer the favorite salad question since that’s the only one I really know. My favorite salad is definitely strawberries, walnuts, goat cheese, kale, and arugula drizzled with Balsamic vinaigrette. It is so yummy!

    Reply
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Hi! I’m Julie and I am a mom to three energetic boys and a personal trainer and blogger living in Charlotte, North Carolina. Welcome to my blog! Peanut Butter Fingers follows my life and my interests in food, fitness, family, travel and (mostly) healthy living.
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