Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad

This protein-packed cottage cheese hen salad is a lighter twist on the basic. It’s creamy, flavorful, and excellent for sandwiches, lettuce wraps, or straightforward meal prep!

After I need one thing fast, protein-packed, and satisfying, hen salad is at all times a go-to; and this cottage cheese model could be my favourite but.

Mixing cottage cheese into the bottom makes it further creamy whereas retaining issues mild and nourishing. There’s simply sufficient mayo to provide it that acquainted richness, and the combo of recent dill, lemon juice, and Dijon offers each chew a vivid, herby kick.

I really like scooping it into lettuce wraps or piling it onto toasted English muffins topped with microgreens for a easy lunch. It’s an important choice once I need one thing just like my Greek yogurt hen salad however with a brand new twist.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This isn’t your common hen salad—and when you strive it, you may not return. Right here’s why it’s a keeper:

Excessive in protein – With cottage cheese and shredded hen, this salad is critically satisfying and nice for retaining you full.
Tremendous creamy – Mixing the cottage cheese makes the feel further clean while not having a lot mayo in any respect.
Nice for meal prep – Make a batch and luxuriate in it all through the week in sandwiches, wraps, or over salad greens.

Elements Wanted

You solely want a handful of straightforward components to make this creamy, protein-packed hen salad at house!

cottage cheese – the key to an excellent creamy base while not having tons of mayo. I used full-fat for one of the best texture and taste.
shredded hen – cooked hen breast works greatest right here. You should utilize rotisserie hen or make your personal utilizing my sluggish cooker shredded hen.
crimson onion – provides a crisp chew and just a little sharpness to steadiness the creamy dressing.
celery – for that basic crunch and freshness you count on in hen salad.
mayo – only a couple spoonfuls for richness. I like utilizing avocado oil mayo for a lighter, cleaner choice.
lemon juice – provides brightness and lifts all of the flavors. Freshly squeezed is greatest!
Dijon mustard – offers the salad just a little tang and depth. Don’t skip it, it makes a distinction.
recent dill – I really like utilizing recent dill right here, however dried works in a pinch. It provides that herby taste that pairs so properly with lemon and hen.
garlic powder – a contact of savory taste with out overpowering the remainder of the components.
sea salt and pepper – alter to style. Begin small and add extra as wanted after every thing’s combined.

Recipe Substitutions

This hen salad is fairly versatile, so be at liberty to make a couple of swaps relying on what you’ve gotten readily available:

Cottage cheese: I used full-fat for one of the best texture, however low-fat cottage cheese ought to work simply high-quality. You can even skip the mixing step and maintain it just a little chunky if you happen to choose extra texture.
Mayo choices: Common mayo, olive oil mayo, and even Greek yogurt can be utilized instead of avocado mayo. Simply take note it’ll barely change the flavour.
Lemon juice swap: Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar can work as a backup if you happen to’re out of lemons.
Dairy-free choice: I haven’t examined a dairy-free cottage cheese substitute right here, however if in case you have one you like, it’s value experimenting!

Find out how to Make Cottage Cheese Hen Salad

Step 1: Add cottage cheese to a high-powered blender and mix till clean and creamy.

Step 2: Add the entire components to a big mixing bowl. Stir to mix. Style and add extra salt and pepper, if wanted.

Brittany’s Recipe Suggestions!

A number of easy ideas to assist your cottage cheese hen salad end up creamy, flavorful, and excellent each time:

Mix the cottage cheese till clean: This makes the salad further creamy and offers it that basic hen salad texture while not having a number of mayo.
Use cooked, cooled hen: Heat hen could make the dressing watery, so remember to let it cool earlier than mixing every thing collectively.
Let it chill (if you happen to can!): The flavors deepen because the salad sits, so it’s even higher after a brief relaxation within the fridge.

Find out how to Serve

There are such a lot of methods to get pleasure from this cottage cheese hen salad—it’s tremendous versatile and works for any meal of the day:

In a sandwich – Pile it onto toasted sourdough, an English muffin, an entire grain bun, or your favourite sandwich bread. Add sliced tomato, microgreens, or any of your favourite toppings.
In a wrap – Spoon it right into a tortilla, collard inexperienced leaf, or lettuce wrap for a lighter, low-carb choice. Strive it in a cottage cheese wrap with sliced avocado for one thing further nourishing.
Over greens – Serve it over a mattress of arugula or spinach with sliced tomatoes and cucumbers for a simple salad bowl. A drizzle of lemon French dressing on high is elective, however scrumptious.
With crackers or veggies – Scoop it up with my every thing however the bagel crackers, almond flour crackers, cucumber rounds, or bell pepper strips for a high-protein snack plate.
By itself – Truthfully, it’s flavorful sufficient to eat by the spoonful straight from the fridge—and I undoubtedly have.

Find out how to Retailer Cottage Cheese Hen Salad

This hen salad is nice for making forward and retains properly within the fridge:

Fridge: Retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Give it a fast stir earlier than serving as it could launch a little bit of liquid because it sits.
Freezer: I don’t suggest freezing this one—the creamy base and recent herbs don’t maintain up properly after thawing.