We’re back, cottage cheese lovers! This time, we’re taking on a familiar favorite – chicken salad – and adding (you guessed it) cottage cheese!

When it comes to chicken salad, you’re probably thinking of the common, creamy mayo-heavy mixture. Which is delicious, but if there’s a way to work cottage cheese into the mixture, we’re gonna do it every time. Enter cottage cheese chicken salad! 🥗🍗 This delightful twist on traditional chicken salad is more nutritious, protein-packed version of the ever-popular dish. And it couldn’t be easier to make!

Cottage cheese chicken salad on a croissant.

The Unexpected All Star: Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad

Cottage cheese in chicken salad might sound a liiiiiitle weird, but it works. Just trust me. Whipped cottage cheese adds a creamy texture and a slightly tangy flavor that pairs perfectly with the chicken and seasonings. It blends perfectly, giving the salad a rich, satisfying taste without the heaviness of mayonnaise.

Why Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad Is a Must-Try

A+ Flavor: The combination of cottage cheese and chicken is a winner every time.
Creamy and Light: Unlike traditional chicken salads that can be heavy, this version is light and airy, making it perfect for warm weather or a light lunch.
Versatile and Customizable: Cottage cheese chicken salad is incredibly versatile. You can customize it with your favorite herbs, spices, and add-ins to make it your own.
Perfect for Meal Prep: This salad keeps well in the fridge, making it an excellent option for meal prep. Prepare a big batch and enjoy it throughout the week in sandwiches, wraps, or on its own.

Your New Lunch Buddy

We’re replacing complicated or time-consuming meal prep with this one bowl masterpiece. At least for the summertime, anyway. Picture yourself biting into a fresh, crunchy lettuce wrap filled with cottage cheese chicken salad. Or enjoying a scoop of it on toasted sourdough. And finishing it off with a slice of zucchini bread. 😘 This cottage cheese chicken salad is the perfect protein-packed lunch idea.

Best Ways to Enjoy Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad

Classic Sandwich: Spread your cottage cheese chicken salad between two slices of bread, add some lettuce and tomato, and boom! You’ve got yourself a deli-worthy sandwich.
Lettuce Wraps: If you’re gluten-free or looking to cut out bread, scoop the chicken salad in crisp lettuce leaves. Enjoy the same protein, minus the extra carbs.
Stuffed Avocados: Cut open a ripe avocado, scoop a bit out of each half and fill it with the chicken salad. This is a great way to sneak in some extra healthy fat and fiber.
On Crackers: Scoop the chicken salad with your favorite crackers for a quick and easy snack. We love this for a midday pick-me-up in between meals or as a post-workout.
With Dessert: Since we already had a healthy lunch, we most definitely deserve a scoop of peach or strawberry ice cream.

Tips for the Best Chicken Salad

Choose Your Chicken Wisely: Whether you use leftover roasted chicken, grilled chicken breasts, or even a store-bought rotisserie chicken, make sure your chicken is flavorful and well-seasoned.
Mix Up the Textures: Add some crunch to your salad with diced celery, red onion, bell peppers, or even some nuts. It’s all about balancing the creamy and crunchy elements.
Herbs and Spices: Fresh herbs like dill, parsley, or chives can pump up the flavor of your chicken salad. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your favorite spices, too.
Let It Chill: Letting the salad chill in the fridge for a bit allows the flavors to meld together beautifully. It’s not entirely necessary, but it does improve the flavor!

Mix and Enjoy!

This cottage cheese chicken salad is about to be your new lunchtime staple. Easy to make, tons of protein, and super versatile – it’s a game-changer. Whether you’re looking for a light lunch, a picnic favorite, or a dish to impress your friends, this chicken salad delivers on all fronts. 🍗🥗

Grab some cottage cheese, whip up a batch of this chicken salad, and get ready to enjoy a fresh, twist on a familiar favorite. Here’s to creamy, crunchy, and totally satisfying cottage cheese chicken salad – your next favorite dish! 🥳

PS – This Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad is a great game-day option, especially if you’re putting together a bigger spread. Be sure to check out our Super Bowl Cottage Cheese Recipe Roundup—it’s full of ideas for dips, mains, and snacks that are easy to make.

Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad

Print Recipe

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This cottage cheese chicken salad is a quick and easy, super high protein lunch idea. Whipped cottage cheese creates the perfect creamy base for the ingredients.

Author: cottagecheeserecipes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 10 1x

Ingredients

Scale

2– 12.5 oz. cans of chicken
1/2 cup of whipped cottage cheese*
3 T mayonnaise
1 T dijon mustard
1 t salt
1/4 t cumin
1/4 t pepper
1/8 t garlic powder
cayenne pepper to taste
grapes, celery, nuts, cranberries

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Instructions

Drain chicken and shred with a fork in a medium sized bowl.
Whip cottage cheese. Add cottage cheese to a blender or food processor blend until smooth and creamy.
Add whipped cottage cheese, mayo, dijon mustard, spices and other ingredients of your choice to shredded chicken.
Mix all ingredients and serve on toast or crackers.

Notes

* How to make whipped cottage cheese: we’ve found that a food processor works best. It’s the most effective way to get a smooth, silky texture. Buzz the processor for a few seconds, scrape down the sides of the processor bowl, and repeat until no more curds remain.