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Have you ever been out to eat, tasted something, and decided it’s absolutely something you must have in your life – as often as possible?

That’s how it was for us the first time we had the Avocado Ranch Dressing.

There’s something about avocado ranch.. it’s creamy, rich, cool, tangy.. it’s not your typical ranch, it’s ranch PLUS.

 

southwestern grilled chicken salad with avocado buttermilk ranch dressing

To me, summer is all about grilling, roasting, freshness, farmers markets, and foods that your body craves.

When the temperatures rise, I want fresh foods, ingredients found at my farmers market, grown in the garden, bright, crisp flavors, and anything I can prep on our grill.

We have 4 different grills, and a smoker.  We kind of like to cook outdoors.

southwestern grilled chicken salad with creamy buttermilk avocado ranch dressing

 

This month’s theme for California Avocados was salads, so… duh.  I knew I was going to recreate our favorite salad dressing – and I wanted to pair it with a fresh, grilled, summery salad.

Grilled Corn, ripe tomatoes, black beans, southwestern grilled chicken, and a bright, rich avocado ranch dressing.

This dressing has been dipped, finger licked, topped, tossed, scooped, swooped, and spooned.  It’s safe to say, this dressing is a win.

The salad is pretty amazing, too – but, the dressing is the star.

fajita grilled chicken with buttermilk avocado ranch dressing

 

I’m a southern girl, so buttermilk is a staple.  I vividly remember my GrandDaddy sitting down to a plate of burnt toast and a glass of buttermilk, and while I wouldn’t drink buttermilk if you paid me {well, maybe if you paid me a lot, I would}  I think that buttermilk is essential to fried chicken, ranch dressing, certain waffle recipes, and other southern delicacies.  Buttermilk is definitely essential to this avocado ranch recipe.

homemade avocado buttermilk ranch with spicy grilled chicken salad

 

 

 

Disclosure: This recipe was created and inspired by my partnership with the California Avocado Commission. I’m honored to be a compensated 2014 brand ambassador for CAC. All opinions expressed are my own. For more great recipes visit the California Avocado Commission website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Homemade Avocado Buttermilk Ranch Dressing {and a salad to go with it}

Easy and Delicious Homemade Avocado Buttermilk Ranch Dressing, paired with our favorite grilled chicken and a delicious and easy salad
Print Recipe
Prep Time:15 minutes
Cook Time:20 minutes
Total Time:35 minutes

Ingredients

Avocado Buttermilk Ranch Dressing

  • 1/2 ripe medium California Avocado
  • 1/4 Cup Greek Yogurt
  • 1/4 Cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar
  • 3 Tablespoons buttermilk
  • 1/2 teaspoon dill weed
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 Cup milk*

Southwestern Grilled Chicken

  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 2 Tablespoons Homemade Taco Seasoning
  • 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts

Salad

  • Mixed Greens
  • Grilled Corn
  • Black Beans drained and rinsed
  • 1 lb cherry tomatoes halved

Instructions

avocado buttermilk ranch

  • Combine all ingredients in a food processor, or with a hand mixer. Process until smooth
  • *1/4 Cup to 1/2 Cup milk if you want to thin the dressing

southwestern grilled chicken

  • Add the chicken, olive oil, and seasoning to a bag and mix and squish together until the chicken is fully coated. Grill over medium heat until chicken reaches an internal temp of 160*F - set aside for 5 minutes to allow chicken to continue to cook, and for the juices to re-enter the chicken.

Corn

  • Grill the corn with the chicken, about 5 minutes per side (which means 20 minutes total)

Salad

  • Rinse and drain the can of black beans
  • Halve the cherry tomatoes
  • Remove the kernels of corn from the grilled cob
  • Combine all of the ingredients however you prefer, and top with the homemade avocado buttermilk ranch dressing.
Course: Salads & Dressings
Author: Rachel - A Southern Fairytale

I'm a deep-fried Southern belle, married to a cowboy boot wearin', Harley ridin’ Texan Prince Charming. I am the always proud and frequently exhausted mom to two 8th generation Texans My childhood was spent at my Granny's side learning to cook with cast iron, butter and that special southern ingredient -- love Today, I share my passion for food, family and photography with thousands of monthly readers on my blog, A Southern Fairytale. I love cute boots, my Canon camera, belly laughs with friends, the beach, my family and ellipses..."

22 Comments

    1. Thank you Shawn! It’s so so yummy! I can’t tell you how many different days I’ve pulled that dressing out, grabbed a bunch of veggies and munched while working! Delicious and easy! YUM.

      Reply

  6. i wish this salad once in a week hey can u please tell me about the calorie configuratin by such salad so that there could be proper maintenance of diet by me.

    Reply

    1. Hi Crank – there are several websites where you can check ingredients and add them in to find out the caloric content. We don’t count calories here, and it’s not something I add to my recipes.

      I believe Spark People has that ability. Thanks for commenting, have a delicious week!

      Reply

    1. Hey Sherry,

      As long as none of the ingredients are close to their expiration date (milk etc…) this should last about a week in the refrigerator xx

      Reply

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