Description
A fresh and healthy twist on classic chicken salad! This version combines tender chicken, crisp fruits and vegetables, crunchy walnuts, and a creamy, protein-packed cottage cheese dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups shredded cooked chicken (about 2–3 large breasts or 1 rotisserie chicken)
- 3/4 cup sliced red grapes
- 1 medium Granny Smith apple, diced
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup diced red onion
- 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh tarragon, divided
- 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Chicken (If Needed): If using raw chicken, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for about 25 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Let it cool slightly before shredding or chopping into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, sliced red grapes, diced apple, diced celery, chopped walnuts, diced red onion, and 1 tablespoon of the chopped fresh tarragon.
- Make the Dressing: In a food processor, add the cottage cheese and blend until smooth. Add the Dijon mustard, the remaining 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh tarragon, and salt and pepper to taste. Pulse until the dressing is well combined.
- Assemble the Salad: Pour the cottage cheese dressing over the chicken salad mixture. Toss gently until all the ingredients are evenly coated.
- Serve or Store: Serve the chicken salad immediately, or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Notes
- Chicken Options: You can use rotisserie chicken, baked chicken, or even poached chicken for this recipe.
- Cottage Cheese: For a smoother dressing, blend the cottage cheese until it’s completely smooth. For a slightly chunkier dressing, blend it less.
- Add-Ins: Feel free to customize this salad with other ingredients like dried cranberries, chopped pecans, or sunflower seeds.
- Serving Suggestions: Enjoy this chicken salad on its own, in sandwiches, wraps, or on top of a bed of lettuce.