This protein-packed cottage cheese hen salad is a lighter twist on the basic. 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 could be my favourite but.
Mixing cottage cheese into the bottom makes it further creamy whereas maintaining issues gentle and nourishing. There’s simply sufficient mayo to present it that acquainted richness, and the combo of contemporary dill, lemon juice, and Dijon offers each chunk a brilliant, 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 a fantastic choice after I need one thing much 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 maintaining you full.
- Tremendous creamy – Mixing the cottage cheese makes the feel further 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.
Components Wanted
You solely want a handful of easy components to make this creamy, protein-packed hen salad at residence!
- cottage cheese – the key to an excellent creamy base with no need tons of mayo. I used full-fat for the perfect texture and taste.
- shredded hen – cooked hen breast works greatest right here. You should utilize rotisserie hen or make your individual utilizing my sluggish cooker shredded hen.
- crimson onion – provides a crisp chunk and a bit of sharpness to steadiness the creamy dressing.
- celery – for that basic crunch and freshness you anticipate in hen salad.
- mayo – only a couple spoonfuls for richness. I like utilizing avocado oil mayo for a lighter, cleaner choice.
- lemon juice – provides brightness and lifts all of the flavors. Freshly squeezed is greatest!
- Dijon mustard – offers the salad a bit of 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 components.
- sea salt and pepper – regulate to style. Begin small and add extra as wanted after all the pieces’s combined.
Recipe Substitutions
This hen salad is fairly versatile, so be happy to make a couple of swaps relying on what you’ve got readily available:
- Cottage cheese: I used full-fat for the perfect texture, however low-fat cottage cheese ought to work simply effective. You too can skip the mixing step and maintain it a bit of chunky for those who favor extra texture.
- Mayo choices: Common mayo, olive oil mayo, and even Greek yogurt can be utilized instead of avocado mayo. Simply take into accout it’ll barely change the flavour.
- Lemon juice swap: Apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar can work as a backup for those who’re out of lemons.
- Dairy-free choice: I haven’t examined a dairy-free cottage cheese substitute right here, however in case you have one you’re keen on, it’s value experimenting!
The best 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 components to a big mixing bowl. Stir to mix. Style and add extra salt and pepper, if wanted.
Brittany’s Recipe Ideas!
A couple of 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 further creamy and offers it that basic hen salad texture with no need plenty of mayo.
- Use cooked, cooled hen: Heat hen could make the dressing watery, so you should definitely let it cool earlier than mixing all the pieces collectively.
- Let it chill (for those who can!): The flavors deepen because the salad sits, so it’s even higher after a brief relaxation within the fridge.
The best way to Serve
There are such a lot of methods to get pleasure from 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 choice. Strive it in a cottage cheese wrap with sliced avocado for one thing further nourishing.
- Over greens – Serve it over a mattress of arugula or spinach with sliced tomatoes and cucumbers for a straightforward salad bowl. A drizzle of lemon French dressing on high is non-obligatory, however scrumptious.
- With crackers or veggies – Scoop it up with my all the pieces 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 positively have.
The best 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 advocate freezing this one—the creamy base and contemporary herbs don’t maintain up effectively after thawing.
Incessantly 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 offers the salad a clean, creamy texture. Should you don’t thoughts a bit of texture from the curds, you’ll be able to 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
You should definitely take a look at my full assortment of wholesome salad recipes on EBF!
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