Description
Chicken Salad with Cottage Cheese is a creamy, protein-packed dish combining tender cooked chicken with the light tang of cottage cheese. This easy-to-make salad is refreshing, nutritious, and perfect for quick lunches, healthy dinners, or impressing guests. Versatile and customizable, it balances flavors and textures with wholesome ingredients for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or chopped
- 1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat or full-fat, based on preference)
- ½ cup celery, finely chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh herbs (dill, parsley, or chives), finely minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Variations
- ½ cup diced apples or grapes (for fruity twist)
- Pinch of cayenne pepper or 1 tsp finely chopped jalapeños (for spicy kick)
- ¼ cup toasted walnuts or almonds (for nutty crunch)
- ½ avocado, mashed (to replace some or all cottage cheese for creaminess)
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives and ½ cup cucumber slices (for Greek style)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken: Start with cooked chicken breast—shredded, chopped, or diced depending on your texture preference. Leftover roasted or grilled chicken works perfectly here, saving time and adding flavor.
- Chop the Vegetables and Herbs: Finely chop celery and red onion to ensure every bite has a burst of crunch and zest. Fresh herbs should be finely minced to distribute their flavor evenly throughout the salad.
- Mix the Base: In a large bowl, combine the chicken and vegetables. Add the cottage cheese and gently fold everything together to maintain the cottage cheese’s creamy texture while blending ingredients.
- Add Seasonings: Drizzle lemon juice over the mixture, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir again to infuse the flavors evenly and make sure every component shines.
- Chill and Serve: For best results, refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving so the flavors meld together beautifully. Serve chilled or at room temperature based on your preference.
Notes
- Use fresh herbs and crisp vegetables for elevated taste and texture.
- Balance creamy cottage cheese with crunchy veggies for satisfying bites.
- If salad feels too thick, add a splash of low-fat yogurt or more lemon juice to lighten.
- Use juicy, well-cooked chicken breast for best flavor.
- Refrigerate salad before serving to enhance flavor melding and texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing is not recommended as texture can degrade.
- Serve cold or at room temperature; reheat chicken separately if a warm salad is desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1.5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg