Picture this: you open the fridge after a long day, hungry but not in the mood to cook. That’s when this High Protein Chicken Salad comes through like a best friend. It’s trending on Pinterest for a reasonfast, fresh, and full of flavor. You’ll only need about 20 minutes and zero stress to feel good about dinner.
This creamy, tangy salad mixes rotisserie chicken, cottage cheese, and crunchy celery with a zippy dressing. It’s like your favorite old-school chicken salad went to the gym. Great for Chicken Salad Meal Prep or quick High Protein Lunches for Work. Full details in the blog!
I grew up picking herbs from Grandma’s garden, and now I bring that loving thrift right to the kitchen table. No nonsense, just smart, real-world cooking. I tested this one three timesand added a cottage cheese twist you’ll seriously want to try.
Why You’ll Love This High Protein Chicken Salad
This isn’t just your average chicken saladit’s a hug in a bowl, but make it healthy. Packed with protein and fresh, nostalgic ingredients, it’s perfect for everything from light lunches to family picnics. Here’s why it’s a keeper:
Protein-packed: Rotisserie chicken, cottage cheese, and mayo make this a serious contender in the Protein Salad Recipes category.
Quick and easy: Only 25 minutes, start to finish. Perfect for Chicken Salad Meal Prep.
Cozy and versatile: Enjoy it with crackers, in a wrap, or even spooned over greens for High Protein Salads Low Carb.
Family-approved: The mix of creamy and crunchy will remind everyone of those retro, comforting salads from childhood dinners.
Key Ingredients Breakdown
Let’s talk about the small ingredient heroes that make this salad so special. Everything below is easy to find at your local grocery store, no specialty shops needed!
Ingredient
Why It Works
Substitution Ideas
Chicken breasts (or rotisserie chicken)
The star source of protein for this recipe.
Swap with shredded turkey or canned chicken in a pinch.
Cottage cheese
Adds creaminess and amps up the protein.
Greek yogurt works if cottage cheese isn’t your thing.
Celery and grapes
Crunchy and sweet for that classic salad texture.
Try chopped apples or dried cranberries for variety.
Homemade mayo
Blends everything into a creamy dream.
Store-bought mayo is perfectly fine here.
How to Make High Protein Chicken Salad
Ready to bring this together? I promise it’s quick and no-fuss! You don’t even have to get too fancy with your knife skills. Here’s the plan:
Cook (or use rotisserie): If starting with raw chicken breasts, season with chicken seasoning or salt, then cook and shred. Already have rotisserie chicken? Skip to step two!
Mix the base: Combine mayo, cottage cheese, lemon juice, garlic powder, smoked paprika, oregano, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Stir until smooth.
Fold in the mix-ins: Add shredded chicken, chopped celery, and quartered grapes. Stir gently to coat everything in that creamy goodness.
Taste and adjust: Need more brightness? Add a squeeze of lemon. More creaminess? Extra mayo or cottage cheese won’t hurt!
Serve or store: Enjoy right away, or pop it in the fridge for up to three daysit gets even better as the flavors meld.
Step
Time
Key Tip
Cooking chicken
15–20 minutes
Use pre-cooked or rotisserie chicken to save time.
Mixing dressing
3 minutes
Whisk until smooth for the creamiest result.
Combining salad
2 minutes
Gently fold to avoid mashing the grapes.
Storage Tips & Serving Ideas
This salad enjoys a long shelf life (by salad standards), and it’s endlessly versatile. Here’s how to keep it fresh and serve it in fun, creative ways:
Storage
Tip
Fridge
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Stir before serving to redistribute the dressing.
Freezer
Not recommendedthe texture of the grapes and celery won’t hold up.
Classic plate: Serve with crackers and a touch of fruit for a balanced snack plate.
Lunch wrap: Spoon into a whole-grain wrap with spinach for High Protein Lunches For Work.
On greens: Turn it into a proper meal with mixed salad greens for a Macro Friendly Chicken Salad.
Expert Insight: Maximizing Nutrition with High Protein Chicken Salad
Incorporating cottage cheese into this high protein chicken salad not only boosts protein content but also adds a creamy texture with minimal fat. This combination supports muscle repair and satiety, making it an excellent choice for a balanced, nutrient-dense meal that sustains energy throughout the day.
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Finding Balance with My High Protein Chicken Salad
After a handful of tweakslike swapping mayo for Greek yogurt and testing different herbsI finally landed on this high protein chicken salad. It took time and a few nearly ruined batches, but the result is fresh, satisfying, and perfect for a healthy lunch that my family actually asks for again.
FAQs ( Seriously Genius High Protein Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad – High Protein Recipes. )
What makes this high protein chicken salad so unique?
This Seriously Genius High Protein Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad combines lean chicken breast with creamy cottage cheese, boosting its protein content significantly. Unlike traditional chicken salads loaded with mayonnaise, this recipe offers a macro friendly chicken salad option that fits perfectly into a high protein salad recipes plan. It’s also great for those looking for a satisfying, low carb lunch or protein-packed meal prep idea.
Can I use this chicken salad for meal prep?
Absolutely! This high protein chicken salad is an excellent choice for chicken salad meal prep because it stores well in the fridge for 3-4 days. Its protein-packed salads ingredients like cottage cheese keep it fresh and creamy without the need for excessive dressings, making it ideal for high protein lunches for work or quick grab-and-go meals.
Is this recipe suitable for low carb diets?
Yes, this high protein cottage cheese chicken salad fits well into high protein salads low carb plans. The recipe avoids carb-heavy ingredients, focusing instead on protein-rich foods like chicken and cottage cheese. It makes a perfect protein salad idea for those watching their carb intake but wanting something satisfying and nutrient-dense.
What is the best dressing for this high protein chicken salad?
Since cottage cheese already adds creaminess, you can keep the dressing simple with a high protein salad dressing like a light Greek yogurt-based sauce or a drizzle of olive oil with lemon juice. This keeps the salad macro friendly and complements the flavors without overpowering the protein-packed salads ingredients.
Can I substitute cottage cheese with other ingredients?
While cottage cheese is key for its unique texture and protein boost in this recipe, you can substitute it with Greek yogurt or ricotta if you prefer. These alternatives still support the high protein salad recipes goal but might slightly change the flavor and consistency of the salad.
Conclusion
This High Protein Chicken Salad comes together in just 25 minutes, delivering that perfect blend of creamy, crunchy, and satisfying flavors. You’ll love how easy it is to whip up a homemade, nourishing meal that feels like a true comfort food classic, all while staying smart about protein and carbs.
Try swapping grapes for dried cranberries or swapping cottage cheese for Greek yogurt to keep things fresh. Leftovers? Store in an airtight container for a fuss-free Chicken Salad Meal Prep that’s ideal for High Protein Lunches For Work. A tip I picked up is adding a sprinkle of smoked paprika to brighten your High Protein Salad Dressingsuch a simple twist with big flavor.
If you make this, I’d love to see your photos or hear your favorite add-ins! Did this remind you of a family favorite salad? Share the love by passing it alongyou’re gonna wanna make this protein-packed recipe again and again. Cozy, reliable, and full of heart.
Yesica Andrews
High Protein Chicken Salad: Easy and Delicious Recipe
This High Protein Chicken Salad is a delicious and nutritious choice perfect for Chicken Salad Meal Prep and Protein Salad Recipes. Loaded with crunchy celery, sweet grapes, and a creamy blend of cottage cheese and mayo, it’s a satisfying option for those seeking High Protein Salads Low Carb meals.
1/2 cup mayonnaise – plus more to taste (store-bought or homemade)
1 cup cottage cheese
65 g grapes – quartered (24 grapes, any color)
2 celery ribs – chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice – plus more to taste
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
ground black pepper – to taste
salt – to taste
Method
Cook chicken breasts seasoned with chicken seasoning or salt until fully cooked and let cool.
Chop the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces or shred if using rotisserie chicken.
In a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, cottage cheese, lemon juice, dried oregano, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.
Add chopped celery and quartered grapes to the dressing mixture.
Fold in the chopped chicken gently until well coated.
Taste and adjust seasoning or mayonnaise to your preference.
Serve chilled on its own, in a wrap, or with crackers and fresh fruit.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
For a lower fat version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt or use only cottage cheese. This salad is perfect for meal prep and keeps well when refrigerated.
