Description
This High Protein Chicken Salad is a flavorful and nutritious dish perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner. It combines tender, seasoned chicken breast with a creamy dressing made from cottage cheese and mayonnaise, enhanced by sweet grapes, crunchy celery, and a blend of aromatic spices. This salad is easy to prepare, packed with protein, and deliciously satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1.4 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 teaspoons chicken seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Ground black pepper, to taste
Dressing and Mix-ins
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 65 g grapes, quartered
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Begin by seasoning the chicken breasts with salt or your preferred chicken seasoning. Cook the chicken thoroughly until tender using your preferred method such as pan-searing or boiling.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a blender or food processor, combine the cottage cheese and mayonnaise. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy, creating a rich dressing base for the salad.
- Shred the Chicken: Once the chicken is cooked and cooled slightly, shred it into bite-sized pieces using two forks or your hands, then place it into a large mixing bowl.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the creamy cottage cheese and mayonnaise dressing to the shredded chicken. Then fold in the quartered grapes, chopped celery, fresh lemon juice, dried oregano, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder.
- Season and Chill: Taste the salad and adjust seasoning with salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed. Refrigerate the chicken salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled for best taste.
Notes
- Use cooked chicken that is warm but not hot to avoid melting the dressing.
- Grapes add a sweet note; feel free to substitute with apple chunks if preferred.
- This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- For extra crunch, consider adding chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds.
- If you want a lower fat version, substitute mayonnaise with Greek yogurt.
