I’m always looking for ways to make classic dishes a little bit healthier without sacrificing flavor, and this Chicken Salad with Cottage Cheese does just that! It’s a lighter take on traditional chicken salad, using protein-packed cottage cheese instead of mayo for the dressing. The result is a creamy, flavorful, and satisfying salad that’s perfect for lunch, a light dinner, or even a snack. Plus, it’s packed with fresh ingredients like grapes, apples, celery, and walnuts for added crunch and nutrition.

Why You’ll Love This Chicken Salad with Cottage Cheese

Healthy and Light: Using cottage cheese instead of mayonnaise reduces fat and calories while adding a boost of protein.
Flavorful and Creamy: The blended cottage cheese creates a surprisingly creamy dressing that’s seasoned to perfection with Dijon mustard and fresh tarragon.
Crunchy and Satisfying: The combination of grapes, apples, celery, and walnuts adds a delightful crunch and textural contrast.
Easy to Make: This recipe comes together quickly, especially if you use pre-cooked chicken.

Healthy & Delicious Chicken Salad with Cottage Cheese

Ingredients for Chicken Salad with Cottage Cheese

Here’s what you’ll need to make this healthy and delicious chicken salad. I’ve divided them up for clarity, but the full list with measurements is in the recipe card directly below.

Protein

Shredded chicken (Meat)

Fruits and Vegetables

Red grapes (Fruit)
Granny Smith apple (Fruit)
Celery (Vegetable)
Red onion (Vegetable)

Nuts and Herbs

Walnuts (Nuts)
Fresh tarragon (Herb)

Dressing

Cottage cheese (Dairy)
Dijon mustard (Condiment)

Seasoning

Salt (Seasoning)
Pepper (Seasoning)

(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)

Variations

I love this recipe as is, but here are a few variations you might want to try:

Make it Mayo-Free: This recipe is already mayo-free, but you could also try using Greek yogurt for the dressing for a different flavor.
Add Cranberries: Substitute dried cranberries for the grapes for a tart and chewy twist.
Use Different Nuts: Pecans or almonds would be delicious substitutes for the walnuts.
Add More Herbs: Experiment with other fresh herbs, like dill or chives.
Make it Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the dressing for a little heat.

How to Make Chicken Salad with Cottage Cheese

Let me show you how simple it is to make this Healthy & Delicious Chicken Salad with Cottage Cheese:

Cook Chicken (if needed)

If using raw chicken, I bake it at 350°F (175°C) for about 25 minutes, or until it’s fully cooked. Then, I shred or chop the cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces. (You can also use rotisserie chicken to save time!)

Combine Ingredients

In a large bowl, I combine the shredded chicken, grapes, apple, celery, walnuts, onion, and 1 tablespoon of the chopped tarragon.

Make the Dressing

I add the cottage cheese to a food processor and blend it until it’s smooth and creamy.
Then, I add the Dijon mustard, the remaining tarragon, salt, and pepper to the food processor. I pulse it a few times until everything is well combined.

Assemble Salad

I pour the cottage cheese dressing over the chicken mixture and toss everything gently until it’s evenly coated.

Serve or Store

I either serve the chicken salad immediately or store it in the refrigerator for later.

Tips and Tricks

Here are a few tips that I’ve found helpful when making this chicken salad:

Use a Food Processor: A food processor is the easiest way to get a smooth and creamy cottage cheese dressing. If you don’t have one, you can use a blender, but you might need to add a little milk or water to get it going.
Chill Before Serving: While you can serve it immediately, I find that the flavors meld together even better if you chill the chicken salad in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Adjust Seasoning: Taste the dressing and adjust the salt, pepper, and Dijon mustard to your liking.

How to Serve

This Chicken Salad with Cottage Cheese is incredibly versatile. Here are a few serving suggestions:

Sandwiches: Serve it on bread, croissants, or in pita pockets for a delicious and healthy sandwich.
Salad: Enjoy it over a bed of lettuce or spinach for a light and refreshing meal.
Crackers: Serve it with crackers as an appetizer or snack.
Wraps: Spread it in tortillas or lettuce wraps for a low-carb option.

Make Ahead and Storage

This chicken salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It’s perfect for meal prepping!

FAQs

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about this recipe:

Can I use a different type of cheese?
- While cottage cheese is the star here for its health benefits and creamy texture, you could experiment with other cheeses like ricotta or even a blend of cream cheese and Greek yogurt.
Can I use dried tarragon instead of fresh?
- Yes, you can use dried tarragon, but fresh tarragon has a brighter flavor. If using dried, use about 1 teaspoon.
What if I don’t like walnuts?
- Feel free to omit the walnuts or substitute them with another type of nut, like pecans or almonds.

Enjoy this Healthy & Delicious Chicken Salad with Cottage Cheese! It’s a flavorful and satisfying dish you can feel good about eating.