Description

This Protein Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad is a low-carb, high-protein dish perfect for a healthy lunch or snack. Creamy cottage cheese blended with mayo and spices creates a smooth dressing that coats shredded chicken, celery, and red onion. The addition of fresh dill adds a fragrant, herbaceous note. This salad is quick to assemble, requires no cooking, and is best served chilled to meld flavors.

Ingredients

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Salad Dressing

1 cup cottage cheese
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon salt

Salad Mix

2 cups shredded chicken (or 2 cans, 5 oz each, chicken breast, well drained)
2 stalks celery, diced
1/4 cup red onion, diced
2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped

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Instructions

Prepare the dressing: Add 1 cup cottage cheese, 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, and 1/4 teaspoon salt to a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth and creamy. Add a splash of milk if needed to help it blend properly.
Prepare the salad ingredients: Drain 2 cans (5 oz each) chicken breast thoroughly if using canned chicken. Dice 2 celery stalks and 1/4 cup red onion finely. Chop 2 tablespoons fresh dill.
Combine and mix: Add the shredded or canned chicken, diced celery, red onion, and chopped fresh dill to a large bowl. Pour the blended cottage cheese dressing over the ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated.
Chill before serving: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.

Notes

Blend for creaminess: Processing the cottage cheese until smooth creates a restaurant-quality texture that’s much more appealing than leaving it chunky.
Drain chicken thoroughly: Pat the canned chicken dry with paper towels to prevent your salad from becoming watery and diluted.
Dice vegetables uniformly: Keeping your celery and onion pieces similar in size ensures every bite has the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Chill before serving: Thirty minutes in the refrigerator allows all the flavors to meld together and creates the best taste experience.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories: 220
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 350mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Unsaturated Fat: 7g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 4g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 28g
Cholesterol: 65mg