Is avocado lime ranch your favorite dressing at Chick-fil-A? We've got you covered with our copycat recipe, which tastes even better than the real deal. This incredibly versatile dressing is quick to make, and is packed with flavor.
If you love copycat dressings, you'll love our Chick-fil-A dressings guide with recipes and our copycat Chipotle vinaigrette.
About
Chick fil-A is a popular fast food chain restaurant that started in the state of Georgia, and has spread across the United States and into Canada. Their claim to fame is the chicken sandwich, but their chicken salads are also very popular.
Their most popular dressing is avocado lime ranch dressing, which was made for the Cobb salad back in 2016. Our copycat avocado lime ranch dressing tastes even better than the original, and is so easy and quick to make!
Why This Recipe Works
- The ingredients are basic pantry staples that are easy to find at the grocery store.
- Using a high speed blender or food processor gives the dressing a smooth, creamy texture.
- It tastes better than Chick-fil-A's because it has the right blend of spices.
- It is easy to make this the night before; plus, it stays creamy and is easy to pour.
Ingredients
All of the ingredients for this copycat avocado lime ranch dressing are easy to find at your local grocery store. In fact, you probably have most of them in your pantry. Let's talk about the key ingredients!
- Dairy: Buttermilk makes this taste creamy, and adds a subtle tang.
- Oil: Extra virgin olive oil provides a wonderful flavor.
- Citrus: Freshly squeezed lime juice makes this dressing taste fresh and citrusy.
- Vegetables: Ripe Hass avocados provide the creamy texture.
- Acid: White distilled vinegar helps balance the flavors and adds more tang.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
- Need this lower in fat? Use ¼ cup Greek yogurt and ¼ cup light mayo.
- Want it more Tex Mex? Add fresh cilantro.
- Need this as a dip or condiment? Don't add any water.
- Need this vegan? Use vegan mayo and water and adjust the lime and vinegar.
How to Make Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing
Gather the ingredients for our copycat Chick-fil-A avocado lime ranch dressing.
- Add the avocado and mayo to the food processor. (image 1)
- Pour in the acidic ingredients: buttermilk, vinegar, and fresh lime juice. (image 2)
- Add the dried spices and the sugar. Blend until smooth, using a spatula to scrape down the sides. (image 3)
- Slowly add the oil while the food processor is running. (image 4)
- Add water if desired to thin the dressing. Adjust seasonings to taste. (image 5)
- Drizzle on a copycat Chick-fil-A salad. Store leftovers in a mason jar, and refrigerate for up to 5 days. (image 6)
Recipe FAQs
To quote Chick-fil-A, avocado lime ranch is "a twist on the original ranch, [and] this Southwest style dressing includes creamy avocado, spices and just the right amount of lime to liven up any salad."
Three tablespoons of Chick-fil-A's dressing contains 310 calories, 32g fat, and 520 mg sodium. For the same serving size, our copycat dressing has 165 calories, 17g fat, and 132mg sodium.
It has a creamy texture thanks to the avocado and a fresh delicious taste from the lime juice. It's like combining guacamole, green goddess, and ranch dressing all into one!
This copycat dressing can be completely made the night before. It tastes amazing the next day, since it will have time to chill and thicken and for the flavors to meld.
Serve
This Chick fil-A copycat avocado lime ranch dressing tastes fantastic on summer salads, but also try it on chicken wraps, beef patties, scrambled eggs, grilled shrimp and fish, or with fresh raw veggies as a dip.
It also tastes amazing on fajitas, like our copycat Chipotle fajita veggies, and on tacos like our quinoa taco meat and our lentil taco meat.
If you are a fan of Chick-fil-A's salads, you'll want to check out our other recipes for copycat Chick-fil-A Cobb salad, copycat Chick-fil-A market salad, and copycat Chick-fil-A side salad.
Expert Tips
- Ripen firm avocados in a paper bag with an apple and a banana for a couple days. They're ripe when they give slightly when squeezed.
- Slowly add the oil while the food processor is running so the dressing emulsifies properly.
- Adjust the lime juice, vinegar, and buttermilk to taste.
- Chill in the fridge for an hour or two before using for the best flavor.
Other Chick-fil-A Salads You'll Love
Recipe
Avocado Lime Ranch - Chick-fil-A Copycat
Ingredients
- 2 ripe Haas avocados
- ½ cup mayo, like Duke's
- ¼ cup distilled white vinegar
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- ¼ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¾ teaspoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon sugar, omit for keto
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon water, to thin
Instructions
- Place all the dressing ingredients except the olive oil and water into a food processor and blend until smooth. Scrape the sides with a spatula, if necessary.
- With the processor running, slowly drizzle the extra virgin olive oil into the dressing. It should be thick and creamy.
- Thin the dressing with a little water as desired, then adjust seasonings to taste. Add a bit more acid (vinegar, buttermilk, or lime juice) if necessary.
- Pour the dressing into a mason jar, seal, and refrigerate for an hour before using. It will keep for up to 5 days.
Video
Notes
- Ripen firm avocados in a paper bag with an apple for a couple days. They're ripe when they give slightly when squeezed.
- Slowly add the oil while the food processor is running so the dressing emulsifies properly.
- Adjust the lime juice, vinegar, and buttermilk to taste. Be sure to use freshly squeezed lime juice.
- Chill in the fridge for an hour or two before using for the best flavor.
Nutrition
Serving sizes and nutritional information are only an estimate and may vary from your results.
Marissa
Tastes SO good! And just like Chick-fil-A!
Emma Fajcz
Thank you! We're so glad that you enjoyed it!
Kayla
So tasty! Swapped buttermilk with plain Greek yogurt and it came out perfect. Thanks for the great recipe!
Emma Fajcz
You're welcome! We're glad that you enjoyed it so much!
Ashley
Can the buttermilk be left out and can avacodo oil be used instead of olive oil?
Emma
We haven't tested it with those substitutions, but if you try it, let us know how it goes!
Lou Ann
Excellent recipe!! I love the Chick FIL A dressing and this is great!! Thank you so much!!
Emma
Thank you, Lou Ann! We're happy you enjoyed it so much!
***
so good!
Emma
Wonderful! We are thrilled to hear you enjoy this recipe so much!
Jenna
About to make this recipe and I am super excited to try it! Looks delicious. Just wondering is it buttermilk ranch, buttermilk powder, or liquid buttermilk? Thank you!
Emma
It's regular liquid buttermilk in this recipe. Enjoy the dressing, Jenna!
Allison
Just wondering, could you freeze this to make it last longer or do you have to use all of it within the 5 days after you make it? Thanks!
Emma
I'm afraid it can't be frozen; it will separate and become watery upon thawing.
Jess
Great recipe! And it tastes pretty close to the actual thing! I made cool wraps with it and they tasted almost like I actually got them from the restaurant.
Emma
That's wonderful to hear, Jess! We're so glad that you enjoyed the avocado lime ranch.
Alex
The dressing is creamy and smooth. The lime is sour, and the dressing tastes really good on a salad.
Emma
Thank you, Alex! Glad you enjoyed it!
Beth
This is a delightfully creamy dressing. The pastel green color is pretty, and the texture is reminiscent of guacamole. The garlic powder is great with the other spices in the dressing.
Emma
So glad you enjoyed it, Beth!