Save One Tuesday afternoon, my coworker brought these lettuce cups to a potluck and I watched people abandon their usual heavy sandwiches to grab seconds of hers. She caught me sneaking a third one and just laughed, saying the secret was not overthinking it—just good chicken, creamy avocado, and enough fresh herbs to make you feel like you're eating something genuinely special. That simple lunch sparked something in my kitchen: the realization that sometimes the best meals are the ones that feel light but actually fill you up, and that you don't need complicated techniques to impress yourself or anyone else.
I made this for my sister on a Sunday when she was stress-eating her way through a work crisis, and watching her shoulders literally relax after the first bite told me everything. She's not someone who gets excited about "healthy" food, but something about the combination of tender chicken, those herby pops of flavor, and that buttery lettuce just worked. She's made it herself three times since, which is basically her love language.
Ingredients
- Cooked chicken breast, 2 cups diced or shredded: Use rotisserie chicken if you're short on time—it's equally good and saves you a cooking step.
- Ripe avocado, 1 large, diced: Wait until it yields slightly to thumb pressure, not mushy; I learned this the hard way by rushing.
- Celery, 1/2 cup finely chopped: The crunch is essential, so don't skip it even if you think you don't love celery.
- Red onion, 1/4 cup finely chopped: The raw bite cuts through the richness and makes everything feel fresher.
- Fresh parsley, 1/4 cup chopped: Don't use dried here—it completely changes the personality of the dish.
- Fresh dill, 2 tbsp chopped: This is the quiet hero that makes people ask what you did differently.
- Greek yogurt, 3 tbsp: Tangier and lighter than mayo, but use mayo if that's what you have.
- Fresh lemon juice, 1 tbsp: Squeeze it yourself; bottled changes the flavor in ways you'll feel.
- Dijon mustard, 1 tsp: Just enough to add sophistication without shouting about it.
- Garlic powder, 1/4 tsp: Fresh garlic would be aggressive here, so trust the powder.
- Salt and black pepper, to taste: Taste as you go because avocado and herbs can surprise you.
- Butter lettuce leaves, 8 large: Butter lettuce cups hold everything better than romaine and feel more delicate.
- Cherry tomatoes, halved (optional): A flash of color and sweetness, but the dish stands perfectly well without them.
Instructions
- Gather and prep everything first:
- Dice your chicken, chop your herbs, and have your avocado ready but not cut until the last second. This takes maybe five minutes and prevents that frantic moment where you're trying to do three things at once.
- Build the base:
- In a large bowl, combine chicken, avocado, celery, red onion, parsley, and dill. The act of bringing it all together shows you how balanced the mix already looks.
- Make the dressing:
- Whisk Greek yogurt, lemon juice, mustard, and garlic powder until completely smooth—lumps of yogurt are the enemy here. Taste it alone and you'll understand why this matters.
- Dress gently:
- Pour dressing over the mixture and fold everything together as if you're tucking it in, not aggressively tossing. You want avocado chunks to stay recognizable, not turn into paste.
- Check yourself:
- Taste a bite and adjust salt, pepper, or lemon. Your palate knows better than any recipe at this point.
- Cup and serve:
- Spoon the salad into lettuce leaves with the kind of care that makes them look intentional. Scatter tomatoes on top if you're using them and serve immediately while everything is still cool and crisp.
Save My neighbor brought a version of this to a book club night, and it sparked a 45-minute conversation about how food that doesn't pretend to be something it's not—that is just good, honest ingredients—somehow tastes better. Nobody was thinking about calories or macros; we were just talking about how alive the herbs made everything feel.
Why Lettuce Cups Instead of a Bowl
The lettuce cup format changes something psychological about eating. You get to hold each bite, make it your own, and there's something playful about it that makes you slow down. Plus, there's no bread to hide behind, so you taste everything clearly—the herbs, the lemon, the creamy avocado. It's also naturally portion-controlled, which my brain loves even when I'm not consciously thinking about it.
Playing With Variations
The beauty of this salad is that it's a template, not a formula. I've added crispy chickpeas for extra texture, swapped in lime for lemon when I'm feeling citrus-forward, and thrown in chopped cucumber on days when I want more crunch. Someone online mentioned adding pomegranate seeds, and while I haven't tried it yet, I'm genuinely intrigued. The herbs are where you can really experiment—mint, tarragon, or even fresh basil all work beautifully depending on your mood.
Make It Your Own
This dish is forgiving in a way that makes cooking feel less stressful. If you like things spicier, add a pinch of cayenne or a drop of hot sauce. If you're not an herb person, use less and trust that you'll want to add more next time. The lettuce cups are sturdy enough to hold whatever you decide to put in them, and that's kind of the whole point—food should work for you, not the other way around.
- Toast some almonds or pumpkin seeds and sprinkle them in for crunch that actually stays around.
- Keep extra lemon wedges at the table so people can brighten things up as they eat.
- Make the dressing ahead of time if you want, but assemble the salad right before serving.
Save These lettuce cups have become my answer to the question of what to make when you want something that feels like taking care of yourself. They're the kind of meal that sticks with you—not because it's complicated, but because it's true.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of chicken works best for this dish?
Cooked chicken breast, either diced or shredded, provides tender protein that blends well with creamy avocado and herbs.
- → Can the dressing be made dairy-free?
Yes, substituting Greek yogurt with vegan mayonnaise creates a smooth, dairy-free dressing without compromising flavor.
- → What herbs enhance the flavor profile?
Fresh parsley and dill contribute bright, aromatic notes that complement the avocado and chicken beautifully.
- → How should the lettuce be prepared for serving?
Use fresh butter lettuce leaves or romaine hearts as cups to hold the chicken mixture, providing a crisp texture and easy-to-handle form.
- → Are there optional ingredients to add crunch or garnish?
Chopped cucumber or sliced almonds add crunch, while halved cherry tomatoes provide a fresh and colorful garnish.