This protein-packed cottage cheese hen salad is a lighter twist on the traditional. It’s creamy, flavorful, and excellent for sandwiches, lettuce wraps, or straightforward meal prep!
After I need one thing fast, protein-packed, and satisfying, hen salad is all the time a go-to; and this cottage cheese model may be my favourite but.
Mixing cottage cheese into the bottom makes it additional creamy whereas retaining issues mild and nourishing. There’s simply sufficient mayo to present it that acquainted richness, and the combo of contemporary dill, lemon juice, and Dijon provides each chunk a vibrant, herby kick.
I like scooping it into lettuce wraps or piling it onto toasted English muffins topped with microgreens for a easy lunch. It’s an awesome possibility once I need one thing just like my Greek yogurt hen salad however with a brand new twist.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This isn’t your common hen salad—and when you strive it, you may not return. Right here’s why it’s a keeper:
- Excessive in protein – With cottage cheese and shredded hen, this salad is severely satisfying and nice for retaining you full.
- Tremendous creamy – Mixing the cottage cheese makes the feel additional clean with no need a lot mayo in any respect.
- Nice for meal prep – Make a batch and luxuriate in it all through the week in sandwiches, wraps, or over salad greens.
Elements Wanted
You solely want a handful of straightforward elements to make this creamy, protein-packed hen salad at dwelling!
- cottage cheese – the key to a brilliant creamy base with no need tons of mayo. I used full-fat for the very best texture and taste.
- shredded hen – cooked hen breast works finest right here. You need to use rotisserie hen or make your personal utilizing my sluggish cooker shredded hen.
- crimson onion – provides a crisp chunk and a little bit sharpness to stability the creamy dressing.
- celery – for that traditional crunch and freshness you count on in hen salad.
- mayo – only a couple spoonfuls for richness. I like utilizing avocado oil mayo for a lighter, cleaner possibility.
- lemon juice – provides brightness and lifts all of the flavors. Freshly squeezed is finest!
- Dijon mustard – provides the salad a little bit tang and depth. Don’t skip it, it makes a distinction.
- contemporary dill – I like utilizing contemporary dill right here, however dried works in a pinch. It provides that herby taste that pairs so effectively with lemon and hen.
- garlic powder – a contact of savory taste with out overpowering the remainder of the elements.
- sea salt and pepper – alter to style. Begin small and add extra as wanted after every part’s blended.
Recipe Substitutions
This hen salad is fairly versatile, so be at liberty to make a number of swaps relying on what you’ve readily available:
- Cottage cheese: I used full-fat for the very best texture, however low-fat cottage cheese ought to work simply wonderful. You too can skip the mixing step and hold it a little bit chunky when you want extra texture.
- Mayo choices: Common mayo, olive oil mayo, and even Greek yogurt can be utilized instead of avocado mayo. Simply be mindful it’ll barely change the flavour.
- Lemon juice swap: Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar can work as a backup when you’re out of lemons.
- Dairy-free possibility: I haven’t examined a dairy-free cottage cheese substitute right here, however you probably have one you like, it’s price experimenting!
The right way to Make Cottage Cheese Rooster Salad
Step 1: Add cottage cheese to a high-powered blender and mix till clean and creamy.
Step 2: Add all the elements to a big mixing bowl. Stir to mix. Style and add extra salt and pepper, if wanted.
Brittany’s Recipe Suggestions!
Just a few easy suggestions to assist your cottage cheese hen salad end up creamy, flavorful, and excellent each time:
- Mix the cottage cheese till clean: This makes the salad additional creamy and offers it that traditional hen salad texture with no need numerous mayo.
- Use cooked, cooled hen: Heat hen could make the dressing watery, so make sure you let it cool earlier than mixing every part collectively.
- Let it chill (when you can!): The flavors deepen because the salad sits, so it’s even higher after a brief relaxation within the fridge.
The right way to Serve
There are such a lot of methods to take pleasure in this cottage cheese hen salad—it’s tremendous versatile and works for any meal of the day:
- In a sandwich – Pile it onto toasted sourdough, an English muffin, an entire grain bun, or your favourite sandwich bread. Add sliced tomato, microgreens, or any of your favourite toppings.
- In a wrap – Spoon it right into a tortilla, collard inexperienced leaf, or lettuce wrap for a lighter, low-carb possibility. Attempt it in a cottage cheese wrap with sliced avocado for one thing additional nourishing.
- Over greens – Serve it over a mattress of arugula or spinach with sliced tomatoes and cucumbers for a simple salad bowl. A drizzle of lemon French dressing on high is non-compulsory, however scrumptious.
- With crackers or veggies – Scoop it up with my every part however the bagel crackers, almond flour crackers, cucumber rounds, or bell pepper strips for a high-protein snack plate.
- By itself – Truthfully, it’s flavorful sufficient to eat by the spoonful straight from the fridge—and I undoubtedly have.
The right way to Retailer Cottage Cheese Rooster Salad
This hen salad is nice for making forward and retains effectively within the fridge:
- Fridge: Retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Give it a fast stir earlier than serving as it could launch a little bit of liquid because it sits.
- Freezer: I don’t suggest freezing this one—the creamy base and contemporary herbs don’t maintain up effectively after thawing.
Often Requested Questions
Sure! Canned hen will work in a pinch. Simply drain it effectively and shred with a fork earlier than mixing it in.
Completely. It shops effectively within the fridge for a number of days and is ideal for fast lunches or snacks all through the week.
Mixing provides the salad a clean, creamy texture. When you don’t thoughts a little bit texture from the curds, you may skip this step—it nonetheless tastes nice.
Sure! It’s naturally low in carbohydrates and works effectively for low-carb or high-protein diets—simply skip the bread or serve it with veggies or over greens.
Extra Protein Salad Recipes
Remember to try my full assortment of wholesome salad recipes on EBF!
