This cottage cheese chicken salad subs the usual mayonnaise for cottage cheese, making for a healthier version of the traditional recipe. It's loaded with protein and easy to meal prep, too!
Recipe originally created: May 2014 // Updated: April 2020
My oh my do I adore chicken salad. When I was in high school, I worked at a grocery store, and it was there that I discovered my love of chicken salad.
Oddly enough, I had convinced myself that I "hated" mayonnaise, but loved chicken salad, which makes absolutely no sense, but I have a feeling I would have been obsessed with this cottage cheese chicken variation.
If you're a fan of regular chicken salad, I have a feeling you'll like this version just as much. I know cottage cheese texture can sometimes be off-putting for people, but since it's used for the dressing, the texture isn't noticeable at all. The cottage cheese adds even more protein to this meal, so it's basically the ultimate lunch!
Cottage cheese chicken salad ingredients
- Chicken: This is a no-brainer--of course you need chicken in order to make chicken salad! I bought two organic boneless skinless chicken breasts and boiled them until they were cooked through, about 20 minutes. This way is a super easy and quick way to prep chicken (like in these chicken tacos), and it makes it easy to shred with two forks. With that said, you can cook the chicken other ways--in the stove or in a skillet--if you prefer.
- Cottage cheese: Make sure to buy plain cottage cheese, but the actual kind you use--whole milk, 2% milk, low fat, etc.--doesn't totally matter. I used whole milk cottage cheese because I think it's the most filling and has a great flavor, but any kind will work.
- Mayonnaise: Similar to the cottage cheese, the kind of mayo you use doesn't make a huge difference. I tend to opt for avocado oil mayonnaise, but the entire recipe only calls for three tablespoons, so it doesn't make a huge difference.
- Fruit/vegetables: This includes grapes, celery and dried cranberries, all of which add flavor to this recipe. While I'm not a huge celery fan on its own, I absolutely adore it in this chicken salad, mostly because it's a nice contrast to the sweetness of the grapes and cranberries.
- Almonds: The almonds really just help to add a bit of crunch--aka better texture--to this salad. I like using sliced almonds because they're not as bulky as whole almonds, and they're already sliced so you don't have to chop them by hand.
Does it matter what kind of cottage cheese I use?
Nope! I like using whole milk cottage cheese because, in my opinion, it tastes the best, but you can use any cottage cheese. I've made this with low fat cottage cheese as well and it was delicious.
Do I have to add the mayo?
Technically no, but if you've ever made regular chicken salad, you know that mayonnaise is a key ingredient. Though the majority of the dressing is made with cottage cheese, using a bit of mayo helps to give the recipe that traditional chicken salad flavor.
Feel free to use miracle whip instead if you like that better than mayonnaise.
Cottage cheese chicken salad substitutions/add-ins
Can't find sliced almonds? Try using slivered almonds or whole almonds that have been chopped instead. Or, chopped walnuts would work just fine too.
Green grapes instead of red, though they'll add a little more tartness to the recipe
Green onions instead of, or in addition to, the celery
More healthy lunch recipes
Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad Sandwich
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 lb. whole milk cottage cheese* 16 oz.
- 3 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 cup red grapes sliced
- ½ cup celery thinly sliced
- 3 tablespoon sliced almonds
- 2 tablespoon dried cranberries
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 slices bread**
Instructions
- Cook chicken as you normally would. I like to boil mine in a large pot for 20 minutes or so. Then, use two forks to shred the chicken and place it into the bowl.
- Add the remaining ingredients to the bowl and stir until the chicken is completely coated.
- Eat it as-is or in between two slices of bread and enjoy!
Meissa says
This is a family favorite: I use pecans instead of almonds and Greek yogurt & Dijon instead of Mayo Also add chopped red apples
Erin says
Love these substitutions, and I'm so glad the whole family likes it!
Angela says
This was really yummy!! My family really liked it. I also added some chopped green onions and it was a great addition. I served it on whole wheat sandwich thins, and it was perfect! Thanks for the yummy dinner 🙂
Erin says
Ohhh love the addition of green onions -- glad the whole family approved!
Alex says
What type of bread did you use in the featured photo? I am SOLD on the chicken salad and that bread looks divine!
Erin says
I believe it was Dave's Killer Bread!
Onyi says
I just tried this recipe and it was delicious! I don’t love cottage cheese either! It was really refreshing.
Sherri@The Well Floured Kitchen says
This looks delicious! I actually don't like mayonnaise, so I've never had a 'real' chicken salad. Love the idea of using cottage cheese, and since I do love greek yogurt I could just sub that in for the mayo. My kids are crazy for cottage cheese, so I'll be trying this for lunches.
Erin says
Yes it's perfect for lunches. Let me know if you try it!
Alisha @ Alisha's Appetite says
What a good idea! I haven't bought cottage cheese in forever...I should change that.
Kristy @ Southern In Law says
I loveeeee cottage cheese - and whilst I've never tried chicken salad, I think this recipe may convince me to try it!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
Erin.... You might be onto something here! Whenever I make chicken salad, I add a huge mayo to Greek yogur ratio because of the tartness- never thought to use cottage cheese!
Liz @ Carpe Diem and Run says
I've actually never tried chicken salad - I should probably get on that 😉
Jordan @ The Blonde Vegan says
Oooh, what a good idea to replace yogurt with cottage cheese in a recipe. I am also not a huge fan of yogurt (probably the tartness?) so in my dairy-eating days I would've been all over this. And have I ever told you how much your food photos rock? You're a food photography rockstar, missy.
Erin says
Thanks Jordan! And I'm glad I'm not the only person who isn't in love with yogurt.
lindsay says
i love making egg salad with cottage cheese, so this is a must!! yum!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles says
I would much rather have grapes, almonds and craisins than celery 😉 sounds awesome! I love cottage cheese, but I never would have thought to try it in chicken salad. I couldn't tell you the first time I tried it...but my guess would be on a sandwich my mom made for me in elementary school.
Cassie says
Yum I haven't thought about chicken salad in a while but I loveee it when it has grapes/craisins! And with my love for cottage cheese, this sounds perfect!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven says
pretty sure I ate chicken salad in the womb! I'm not a hugeeee cottage cheese fan but I may give it a try if I run out of yogs!
Jules says
Love this! All the ingredients look perfect - I hate when celery makes the chicken salad crunchy!
Chelsea @ A Fit LittleOne says
Never thought about using cottage cheese in chicken salad! I've been wanting to try out greek yogurt. But this is a great idea! Next time I'm making it I'll have to remember!
Tina Muir says
Looks great! I actually have a bit of a phobia...well maybe not a phobia, but I am not keen on chicken salads....or the american version of them haha since I went to chick-fil-a. I really did not like it, but I love all the ingredients in this, so I will give it a go 🙂
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
My second thought (or, let's be real, FIRST thought) would probably have gone to dessert. I never volunteer to bring anything savoury -- the sweets is where it's at for me 😀 And ugh... I wish my stomach liked cottage cheese as much as I do.
Jessie says
Gosh... why can't I be okay w/ Cottage Cheese? Idk why, just the thought gives me the creeps. You mentioned people who liked cottage cheese being a fan, were the people like myself able to tell it was there?
Erin says
Yes 🙁 It's a pretty distinct taste... sorry lady! Maybe your taste buds will come around one day 😉