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Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad

Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad
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Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad is a creamy, protein-packed, and refreshing twist on traditional chicken salad. Combining lean chicken breast with the smooth texture of cottage cheese, crunchy vegetables, and fresh herbs, this quick and easy meal is perfect for lunches and dinners. It offers a healthy, versatile dish with a light yet satisfying flavor that can be customized with various add-ins to suit your taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
  • 1 cup cottage cheese (drained if preferred)
  • 1/2 cup celery, finely diced
  • 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
  • 2 tbsp fresh herbs (parsley, dill, or chives), chopped
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice, freshly squeezed
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Optional Add-ins

  • 1/4 cup grapes, halved
  • 1/4 cup nuts (such as walnuts or pecans), chopped
  • 1/4 cup bell peppers, diced
  • 1/4 cup diced apples or dried cranberries or pineapple (for fruit infusion)
  • Chopped jalapeños or hot sauce (for spicy kick)
  • 1/4 cup corn and 1/4 cup black beans (for Southwestern twist)
  • 1/4 cup cucumbers and 1/4 cup Kalamata olives with sprinkle of oregano (for Greek-style variant)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Begin by cooking your chicken breast—grilled, baked, or boiled—then let it cool completely before shredding or dicing into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Chop the Veggies: Finely dice celery and red onion for the perfect crunch and vivid color contrast throughout the salad.
  3. Mix the Base: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cottage cheese, chopped celery, and red onion to start building layers of texture and flavor.
  4. Add Herbs and Seasoning: Stir in fresh herbs like parsley or dill, then squeeze lemon juice over the mixture, seasoning with salt and black pepper to taste.
  5. Optional Boosts: Add any optional ingredients such as nuts, fruits, or spices at this stage to personalize your salad to your craving.
  6. Chill and Serve: Let the salad chill in the fridge for at least 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld together beautifully before serving.

Notes

  • Use freshly cooked chicken for best texture and flavor; avoid pre-packaged when possible.
  • Drain cottage cheese gently to achieve a thicker salad if preferred.
  • Prep ahead and let the salad rest overnight for deeper, melded flavors.
  • Chop all ingredients uniformly for balanced bites.
  • Adjust cottage cheese quantity to achieve your desired creaminess and texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: cottage cheese chicken salad, healthy chicken salad, high protein lunch, creamy chicken salad, gluten free chicken salad

Find it online: https://mealsbymary.com/cottage-cheese-chicken-salad/