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Smoky Chicken and Avocado Kale Salad

5.0

(16)

Smoky Chicken and Avocado Salad on a metal platter
Photograph by Isa Zapata, food styling by Thu Buser, prop styling by Christina Allen

Once you mash avocado into raw kale, you might never eat the hearty green any other way. Don’t say we didn’t warn you! The acid from the lime and fat from the avocado perfectly tenderize rough leafy kale (even the curly stuff), making a flavorful base for smoky roast chicken breasts, jammy red onion wedges, and crunchy toasted pepitas.

What you’ll need

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    45 minutes

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

1 chipotle chile in adobo, finely chopped, plus 4 Tbsp. adobo sauce
1 tsp. honey
2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1½ tsp. ground cumin, plus more
1½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¾ tsp. Morton kosher salt, plus more
3 small limes, halved, divided
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 large red onion, halved, cut through root end into 1½"-thick strips
¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
1 bunch kale, ribs and stems removed, leaves thinly sliced
2 avocados, divided
Flaky sea salt

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 425°. Combine 1 chipotle chile in adobo, finely chopped, 4 Tbsp. adobo sauce, 1 tsp. honey, 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, 1½ tsp. ground cumin, and 1½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¾ tsp. Morton kosher salt in a large bowl. Squeeze juice from 1 small lime into bowl and stir to combine. Add 4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts and turn to coat. Let sit 10 minutes.

    Step 2

    Place 1 large red onion, halved, cut through root end into 1½"-thick strips, on a rimmed baking sheet; drizzle with oil and season with kosher salt. Toss to coat. Arrange in an even layer, then nestle chicken among onion. Roast until chicken is cooked through and onion is tender, 22–25 minutes. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and slice.

    Step 3

    Meanwhile, place ¼ cup raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas) on a small baking sheet. Drizzle with a little oil, season with kosher salt, and sprinkle with a pinch of ground cumin. Toss to coat, then spread pumpkin seeds out into an even layer. Roast until golden brown, about 5 minutes.

    Step 4

    Place 1 bunch kale, ribs and stems removed, leaves thinly sliced, in a large bowl. Cut 1 avocado in half; remove pit and discard. Scoop flesh into bowl. Squeeze juice of 1½ small limes over kale and drizzle generously with oil; season with kosher salt. Using your hands, squeeze and mash avocado, massaging into kale to soften slightly. Mound salad on a platter.

    Step 5

    Thinly slice remaining 1 avocado. Top salad with chicken, avocado, and roasted onion as desired. Scatter pumpkin seeds on top. Squeeze juice of remaining ½ small lime over entire salad; sprinkle with flaky sea salt.

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