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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. Stacy says

    March 17, 2014 at 7:37 am

    I like any salad that is chopped and has avocado in it!!!

    Reply
  2. Michelle says

    March 17, 2014 at 7:41 am

    Chicken caesar salad is my all time favorite. And I’m a big Michigan fan! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Kristen says

    March 17, 2014 at 7:47 am

    Since Kentucky completely bombed this year I’m cheering for my hometown university: Stephen F Austin!

    Reply
  4. Michelle says

    March 17, 2014 at 7:50 am

    I love apples and pecans in my salads!

    Reply
  5. Rachel says

    March 17, 2014 at 7:53 am

    I love spinach salads with all kinds of toppings – veggies, beans, rice!

    Reply
  6. Katherine says

    March 17, 2014 at 8:05 am

    anything with bbq chicken and avocado!

    Reply
  7. Audra says

    March 17, 2014 at 8:15 am

    1. Chopped salads are my fav, I usually throw some chicken or ground turnkey and avaocado in it
    2. Duke, Arizona, NC, UF
    3. Waren Buffett

    Reply
  8. Rebecca Wright says

    March 17, 2014 at 8:23 am

    Honestly I love most salads, and like to turn about anything into one, my favorite would have to be either a strawberry balsamic salad with red onions or an Asian themed one I think, or even a ham, avocado salad with light Catalina dressing! It is hard to choose just one and so many people here in the comments made such good suggestions!

    What teams do you think will be in the Final Four? I’ve no clue but someone listed Florida so I’ll pick them as one 🙂 Not sure where GA stands really.

    Lastly for the trivia: DETROIT, January 21, 2014

    Reply
  9. Ashley says

    March 17, 2014 at 8:48 am

    Oh man I love all salads but there is nothing like a good chopped salad!

    Reply
  10. Mackenzie says

    March 17, 2014 at 8:58 am

    1) anything with goat cheese!
    2) Florida, Arizona, MSU, and UK
    3) already been answered, but–Warren Buffet

    Reply
  11. Amber says

    March 17, 2014 at 9:08 am

    I love Asian salads! Excited to try the Dole version!

    Reply
  12. Sarah S says

    March 17, 2014 at 9:10 am

    I love any salad with avocado, but the barbeque salad at CPK is my favorite!

    Reply
  13. Janice says

    March 17, 2014 at 9:11 am

    Cobb salads are my go-to salad at restaurants, but I love any salad that mixes protein with veggies and healthy fats harmoniously. I also love making homemade summer rolls, I think you would too!

    Reply
  14. Nicole s says

    March 17, 2014 at 9:12 am

    I love ahi tuna salad! Thanks girl

    Reply
  15. Danielle says

    March 17, 2014 at 9:16 am

    1) My favorite salad is an Asian chicken salad- so good! (Panera makes a great one)
    2) Wichita St., Michigan St., Florida, Arizona
    3) Warren Buffet/Quicken Loans

    Reply
  16. Kathryn says

    March 17, 2014 at 9:19 am

    Fave salad? Love the Panera california cobb and surprisingly I love the McDonald’s Southwest Chicken Salad.
    I’m actually not paying much attention to the March Madness this year.

    Reply
  17. Jessica K. says

    March 17, 2014 at 9:19 am

    southwest salads!

    Reply
  18. Amanda says

    March 17, 2014 at 9:19 am

    I’ve been so into salads lately. My current fav is Chipotle Mango Chopped Chicken Salad! Yummm

    Reply
  19. Meg says

    March 17, 2014 at 9:22 am

    Yum! I love a spicy chicken salad, that BBQ ranch mix looks awesome! I think ( okay I want) KU, Creighton, Milwaukee, and Iowa to make it… but that is wishful thinking 🙂 Warren Buffet was the man who is offering $1 BILLION! He’s from my home town 🙂

    Reply
  20. Amye says

    March 17, 2014 at 9:24 am

    I love taco salad but really anything with avocado is a win!

    Reply
  21. Stacey says

    March 17, 2014 at 9:28 am

    My favorite kind of salad is one that incorporates both fruits and vegetables. I love the savory and sweet combo…not to mention all the healthy vitamins and nutrients!

    Reply
  22. Sarah G says

    March 17, 2014 at 9:32 am

    Michigan will win! I love salads with walnuts and goat cheese!

    Reply
  23. Nikki says

    March 17, 2014 at 9:38 am

    Greek salad

    Reply
  24. Lou @ Letters from Lou says

    March 17, 2014 at 9:56 am

    My favorite salad is usually some variation of a taco salad!

    Reply
  25. Lou @ Letters from Lou says

    March 17, 2014 at 9:58 am

    I know it may be wishful thinking, but of course I’m going to have to say I think Kentucky will win!

    Reply
  26. Madeline says

    March 17, 2014 at 9:59 am

    I love salads with chicken and avocado! Sometimes I add dried fruit and walnuts!

    Reply
  27. Angela says

    March 17, 2014 at 10:01 am

    1. I love a good grilled chicken sandwich.
    2. Michigan State! GO GREEN!!!
    3. Warren Buffet

    Reply
  28. Leah says

    March 17, 2014 at 10:05 am

    I love the asian salad that they serve at Applebees!

    Reply
  29. kate says

    March 17, 2014 at 10:06 am

    1. WITHOUT A DOUBT, BBQ chicken. I inevitably end up constructing this salad more often than not when I go out to eat by basically asking for a really hearty house salad with blackened or grilled chicken, and BBQ sauce for dressing. Everyone always laughs at me, but BBQ sauce for dressing is AMAZING!

    2. Florida, Louisville, Wisconsin, Michigan St. (<– this is saying something, coming from an AVID Syracuse fan).

    3. Warren Buffet

    Reply
  30. Gretchen says

    March 17, 2014 at 10:11 am

    1. Any salad with TONS of toppings. Love lots of different flavors.
    2. My final four picks are Creighton, Kansas, Virginia, Wichita State
    3. Warren Buffet!

    Reply
  31. Renae @ MissFit Mixed Chick says

    March 17, 2014 at 10:12 am

    My favorite salad is a bbq chicken salad or a mexi-cobb salad.

    I like the recipe you came up with. Very clever.

    I’m also doing the March Madness bracket’s this year…I don’t know what I’m doing, but I’m hoping to win something. :]

    Reply
  32. Lou @ Letters from Lou says

    March 17, 2014 at 10:13 am

    And I have no idea her offered 1 billion…President Obama??

    Reply
  33. Annie @ Annie Get Your Run says

    March 17, 2014 at 10:15 am

    1. My favorite salad is the Santa Fe Ranch from Corner Bakery Cafe! Not the healthiest, so I recreate it at home trying to make it more Weight Watchers friendly.
    2. As always, I hope that WVU is in it to win it!
    3. Warren Buffett!!!

    Reply
  34. Nicole says

    March 17, 2014 at 10:17 am

    1. Chopped salads with avocado and different kinds of lettuce all put together like spinach/spring mix/romaine!

    Reply
  35. Emily M. says

    March 17, 2014 at 10:26 am

    I love salads with a little sweetness…like strawberries or pears and candied walnuts. And definitely goat cheese!

    Reply
  36. Lisa says

    March 17, 2014 at 10:39 am

    I love grilled chicken salads with lots of different toppings. I love avocados in any salad!

    Reply
  37. sheri says

    March 17, 2014 at 10:41 am

    I screwed up my last attempt to enter. Grrrr. Side effects of medications. I currently at home recovering from surgery. This is week 2. Comfort foods are no longer an option. Time to starting eating food to fuel my body. This sounds delicious! I may add some craisins for a little sweetness. Here are my answers:

    What is your favorite kind of salad? I love salad that has protein, a little crunch, and a little sweetness.
    What teams do you think will be in the Final Four? My guees is, four of the current teams playing in the playoffs. Ha, ha, not a basketball fan.
    And a fun March Madness trivia question from Ryan: Who offered $1 billion dollars for a perfect bracket? Shoot, can’t help you with this!

    Reply
  38. Cindy Smith says

    March 17, 2014 at 10:43 am

    1. Asian Chopped Salad
    2. AZ, KS, WI and MI
    3. Warren Buffet

    Reply
  39. Gina says

    March 17, 2014 at 10:43 am

    I love chopped salads of all kinds!

    Reply
  40. Stacy says

    March 17, 2014 at 11:05 am

    A chicken chopped salad of some sort.

    I have no idea final four teams : (

    Reply
  41. valene says

    March 17, 2014 at 11:11 am

    I love salads with candied walnuts and clumps of blue cheese

    Reply
  42. Sue says

    March 17, 2014 at 11:12 am

    I love the classic chicken caesar. It’s so simple, yet can get messed up all the time if the dressing’s just not right!

    Reply
  43. Leigh says

    March 17, 2014 at 11:27 am

    i love chopped bbq salads like the one from panera!

    Reply
  44. Lindsey says

    March 17, 2014 at 11:34 am

    romaine + sunflower seeds + strawberries + balsamic dressing + honey drizzle

    the best salad ever!!

    Reply
  45. Paola A says

    March 17, 2014 at 11:39 am

    I love greek salads, mmm olives!
    ISU!, Florida, Arizona, Louisville
    Mr Warren Buffet did

    Reply
  46. laura says

    March 17, 2014 at 11:39 am

    I love a chopped salad–the more ingredients the better!

    final four–kentucky, kentucky, kentucky, and kentucky 🙂

    my dad offered $1 billion dollars 🙂

    Reply
  47. Lexi Caldwell says

    March 17, 2014 at 11:42 am

    Taco salads are delicious! I try to “healthify” by using ground turkey meat!

    Reply
  48. Suzanne says

    March 17, 2014 at 11:49 am

    Chopped salad or any salad with A LOT of stuff in it (i.e. nuts, cheese, meat, all kind of veggies, maybe some fruit- I like a lot of variety!)

    And Warren Buffet offered the million dollars! Maybe I should randomly select some teams right about now 😉

    Reply
  49. Kate says

    March 17, 2014 at 11:51 am

    I love taco salads!

    Reply
  50. Amber says

    March 17, 2014 at 11:59 am

    Spinach salads are my favorite!!!! I love adding mandarian oranges, blueberries, strawberries, chopped hard boiled egg and candied pecans.

    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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