Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad Recipe
This Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad is a protein-packed, creamy, and refreshing dish that combines tender shredded chicken with a luscious cottage cheese and Greek yogurt dressing. Featuring crisp celery, sharp red onions, and sweet grapes, this salad offers a delightful balance of textures and flavors. It’s quick to prepare, perfect for a healthy lunch or light dinner, and can be enjoyed chilled on its own, over greens, or in a wrap.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes plus 30 minutes chilling
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (non-fat or low-fat)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/4 cup celery, finely diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/2 cup grapes, halved (optional)
Optional Add-Ins:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup shredded carrots
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preparing the Chicken: If using pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken, shred it into bite-sized pieces with a fork. To cook chicken breasts from scratch, season lightly with salt and pepper and sear in a hot pan with olive oil for 5-7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before shredding.
- Prepare the Veggies: Dice the celery, red onion, and halve the grapes if using. Finely chop any additional optional vegetables like shredded carrots for texture and color.
- Make the Dressing: In a medium bowl, combine cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir thoroughly to create a smooth, creamy dressing. Adjust consistency by adding water or extra lemon juice if desired.
- Combine All Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken, diced vegetables, grapes, and the creamy dressing. Gently stir to coat everything evenly.
- Taste and Adjust: Sample the salad and modify seasoning with extra lemon juice, vinegar, salt, or pepper to your liking. Add more cottage cheese or Greek yogurt if you prefer a creamier texture.
- Chill and Serve: Cover and refrigerate the salad for about 30 minutes to let flavors meld. Serve chilled over leafy greens, in a wrap, on a bed of lettuce, or as a stand-alone dish.
Notes
- Using rotisserie chicken significantly reduces prep time.
- Halving grapes balances sweetness with savory flavors.
- Adjust lemon juice and vinegar to control the salad’s tanginess.
- Refrigeration before serving enhances the flavor blend.
- Optional add-ins like parsley, olive oil, and carrots add extra freshness and richness.
Keywords: Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad, Healthy Chicken Salad, Low Fat Chicken Salad, Protein-packed Salad, Greek Yogurt Salad Dressing, Easy Chicken Recipe, Quick Lunch Salad
Find it online: https://nayabaker.com/cottage-cheese-chicken-salad-recipe/
