Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad (Easy High Protein Lunch)
Servings: servings
This creamy cottage cheese chicken salad is an easy, high-protein lunch made with simple ingredients and fresh flavor. It’s lighter than classic chicken salad, perfect for meal prep, and delicious in sandwiches, wraps, or lettuce cups.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded or chopped (about 10 ounces) - rotisserie chicken works well
- 1 cup cottage cheese full-fat or low-fat
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise optional, for a richer flavor
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- 1 rib celery diced
- 1 green onion sliced
- 3 tablespoons fresh herbs chopped parsley, dill, chives, or a mix
- 2 tablespoons pickles or capers, diced
- ½ clove garlic
- ½ teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Blend 1 cup cottage cheese, 1 tablespoon mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, ½ clove garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, and black pepper until smooth.If the dressing feels too thick, blend in a small splash of water or plain yogurt. You can use a standing blender or an immersion blender.
- Add 2 cups cooked chicken, 1 rib celery, 1 green onion, 2 tablespoons pickles, and 3 tablespoons fresh herbs to a large bowl.Pour the dressing over the chicken and stir well until everything is coated.
- Taste and add more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if you like. Serve right away or chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before serving.
Notes
Substitutions
- Shredded rotisserie chicken → Poached chicken breast, roasted chicken leftovers, or canned chicken
- Cottage cheese → Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor
- Mayonnaise → Omit it or use more cottage cheese
- Lemon juice → Apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
- Dijon mustard → Yellow mustard
- Celery → Cucumber for a softer crunch
- Pickles or capers → Chopped olives
- Scallions → Chives or finely diced red onion
- Fresh dill and parsley → Use just dill or just parsley
- Garlic → Garlic powder, or leave it out for garlic intolerance
- Blend the dressing very smooth for the creamiest texture
- Use rotisserie chicken for the easiest and most flavorful version
- Taste after mixing and add more salt if needed
- Chill 20 minutes for the best flavor
- Add more lemon juice, pickles, or capers for a brighter salad
- Fresh dill and parsley make a big difference in flavor
- Serve in sandwiches, wraps, lettuce cups, or with crackers
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days
- Sodium is estimated and often lower since some dressing stays behind in the bowl or blender
