High Protein Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad
A creamy and nourishing chicken salad made with cottage cheese, apples, and nuts, perfect for meal prep and seasonal baking days.
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked, shredded boneless chicken breast Can use rotisserie or canned chicken
- 1 1/2 cups full-fat cottage cheese Full-fat gives the best texture
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt Choose based on preference
- 1/2 cup diced apple Honeycrisp or Gala adds sweetness
- 1/3 cup halved red grapes or dried cranberries Both options add sweetness
- 1/4 cup finely chopped celery
- 1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans or walnuts Toast for enhanced flavor
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup (optional) Adjust sweetness to taste
- to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- for garnish Fresh parsley or chives
Instructions
Preparation
- If your chicken is cold from the fridge, warm it slightly so it mixes easily, then shred or chop to bite-sized pieces.
- In a bowl, whisk together cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, Dijon, lemon juice, and maple syrup until smooth. For a silkier finish, briefly pulse the cottage cheese in a blender before mixing.
- In a large mixing bowl, add chicken, apple, grapes (or cranberries), celery, and nuts.
- Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and toss gently until everything is evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Chill for 30 minutes to let flavors meld.
Serving
- Garnish with parsley or chives and serve on whole-grain bread, crisp lettuce cups, or buttery croissants.
Notes
Toast nuts briefly for better flavor. Keep wet ingredients and crunchy mix-ins separate until serving for maximum crunch. Adjust sweetness with maple or a touch of honey.
Nutrition
Serving: 1gCalories: 350kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 30gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 300mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5g
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