Description
This high-protein cottage cheese chicken salad is creamy, fresh, and packed with lean chicken and protein-rich cottage cheese. Crunchy celery, sweet red grapes, and fresh herbs add texture and vibrant flavor, making it ideal for sandwiches, wraps, meal prep, or a light and nutritious lunch option.
Ingredients
Chicken Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup red grapes, halved
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans, optional
Creamy Dressing Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Dressing: Add the cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper to a food processor or blender. Blend for 20–30 seconds until the mixture is mostly smooth and creamy.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the shredded or diced cooked chicken, finely chopped celery, halved red grapes, finely chopped red onion, chopped parsley, chopped dill, and chopped walnuts or pecans if using.
- Mix Dressings with Salad: Pour the creamy cottage cheese dressing over the chicken mixture in the bowl. Gently stir all ingredients together until the chicken and vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- Chill Before Serving: Refrigerate the salad for at least 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill thoroughly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Serve the chicken salad in lettuce cups, on whole-grain bread, wrapped in a tortilla, or over a bed of fresh greens for a wholesome, protein-packed meal.
Notes
- Blending the cottage cheese creates a smooth, creamy dressing without needing mayonnaise.
- Rotisserie chicken works well as a quick shortcut for cooked chicken breasts.
- Substitute diced apple for grapes to add a crisp, slightly tart variation.
- For extra crunch and flavor, add toasted almonds, pecans, or sunflower seeds.
- Store leftover salad refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad, Lunch, Main Course, Meal Prep, High-Protein Recipes
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
