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High-Protein Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad - featured image

High-Protein Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad with Fresh Dill

  • Author: Lisa
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Description

A creamy, light, and protein-packed chicken salad made with blended cottage cheese instead of mayo, featuring fresh dill and lemon for a bistro-quality flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 oz (450g) full-fat small curd cottage cheese
  • 2 cups (280g) cooked chicken, shredded
  • 1/4 cup (15g) fresh dill, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • Black pepper (to taste)
  • Optional: 1/2 cup diced celery
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons finely diced red onion
  • Optional: 1/2 diced avocado
  • Optional: Grapes or cranberries for sweetness

Instructions

  1. Place the cottage cheese in a food processor or blender and blend on high for 60-90 seconds until completely smooth and creamy. Pour into a large mixing bowl.
  2. Shred the cooked chicken, removing skin and bones. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
  3. Wash, dry, and finely chop the fresh dill. Mince the garlic. If using celery or red onion, dice them finely (soak onion in cold water for 5 minutes to mellow, then drain).
  4. Add the shredded chicken, chopped dill, minced garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper to the bowl with the blended cottage cheese.
  5. Stir everything together gently but thoroughly. Taste and adjust seasoning with more lemon, salt, or pepper as needed.
  6. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the salad to chill.
  7. Serve on lettuce leaves, with crackers, or over a bed of greens.

Notes

The key to this recipe is blending the cottage cheese until it is completely smooth and silky; skipping this step results in a grainy texture. Ensure the chicken is patted dry to prevent a watery salad. This salad does not freeze well as the cottage cheese will separate. It keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 280
  • Sugar: 5
  • Sodium: 600
  • Fat: 12
  • Saturated Fat: 3
  • Carbohydrates: 8
  • Fiber: 2
  • Protein: 35

Keywords: high protein, cottage cheese chicken salad, healthy lunch, meal prep, gluten-free, low carb, dill chicken salad, mayo-free

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Find it online: https://bymiarecipes.com/high-protein-cottage-cheese-chicken-salad-1-trick-for-perfect-dill-flavor/