Why Make This Recipe
Healthy Chicken Salad is a delicious and nutritious meal option that is perfect for any time of the day. It combines tender chicken with creamy cottage cheese and Greek yogurt, giving it a rich flavor without too many calories. This meal is not only packed with protein but also includes crunchy vegetables and sweet grapes, making it a balanced dish. It’s easy to prepare, making it ideal for lunch, dinner, or meal prep for the week.
How to Make Healthy Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup celery, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup grapes, halved
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lettuce leaves or whole grain bread for serving
Directions:
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, celery, red onion, and grapes.
- Add the Dijon mustard and mix well.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve on a bed of lettuce or as a sandwich on whole grain bread.
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for meal prep.
How to Serve Healthy Chicken Salad
You can serve Healthy Chicken Salad in two great ways. For a light option, place the salad on a bed of fresh lettuce leaves. This creates a crisp and refreshing meal. If you prefer something more filling, use whole grain bread to make a sandwich. This way, you can enjoy the salad with a satisfying crunch.
How to Store Healthy Chicken Salad
To keep your Healthy Chicken Salad fresh, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can last up to 3-4 days. This makes it a convenient meal prep option. Just remember to give it a good stir before serving again, as ingredients may settle or separate.
Tips to Make Healthy Chicken Salad
- Use leftover chicken from a previous meal to save time on cooking.
- For extra crunch, try adding chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts.
- If you like a bit of spice, consider adding diced jalapeño or a dash of hot sauce.
- Adjust the amount of yogurt or cottage cheese to meet your desired creaminess.
Variation
You can easily customize your Healthy Chicken Salad. Substitute the grapes with diced apples or chopped nuts for a different flavor. You can also use turkey instead of chicken for a tasty variation. Adding herbs like dill or parsley can provide a refreshing twist to the salad.
FAQs
1. Can I use canned chicken for this recipe?
Yes, canned chicken is a convenient option. Just drain and shred it before mixing with the other ingredients.
2. Is this chicken salad suitable for meal prep?
Absolutely! It stores well in the refrigerator and makes for an easy grab-and-go meal throughout the week.
3. Can I make this salad dairy-free?
Yes, you can use dairy-free yogurt alternatives and replace cottage cheese with tofu or another dairy-free option.
Healthy Chicken Salad
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: High Protein
Description
A delicious and nutritious chicken salad combining tender chicken, creamy cottage cheese, and Greek yogurt, perfect for any time of the day.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup celery, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, diced
- 1/4 cup grapes, halved
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lettuce leaves or whole grain bread for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, celery, red onion, and grapes.
- Add the Dijon mustard and mix well.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve on a bed of lettuce or as a sandwich on whole grain bread.
- Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for meal prep.
Notes
For extra crunch, try adding chopped nuts, and adjust creaminess by varying yogurt or cottage cheese amounts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 65mg