Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad | Simply Quinoa

This cottage cheese chicken salad is a quick, high-protein lunch made with tender chicken, creamy cottage cheese, and fresh herbs. It’s ready in just 5 minutes and perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or easy meal prep.

Cottage cheese chicken salad served on lettuce leaves.

If, like me, you’re always on the lookout for high-protein lunches that come together with minimal effort, this cottage cheese chicken salad might become your new favorite. (It’s definitely mine, especially when tucked into Cottage Cheese Wraps.) It’s creamy, fresh, and packed with protein thanks to a simple swap: cottage cheese instead of loads of mayo. The result is a lighter, extra satisfying version of classic chicken salad that still tastes rich and delicious.

Why You’ll Love This Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad

This quick recipe checks all the boxes when I’m looking for an easy, nutritious lunch.

Packed with protein. Chicken and cottage cheese combine for a super satisfying, high-protein meal.
A cinch to make. Use leftover or rotisserie chicken and it’s done in 5 minutes!
Creamy but lighter. Cottage cheese adds creaminess while keeping the salad lighter than traditional versions.
Great for meal prep. Make it ahead and enjoy it throughout the week.
Super versatile. Serve it in sandwiches, wraps, bowls, or with crackers.

Ingredients for cottage cheese chicken salad.

What You’ll Need

Here’s everything you need to make this cottage cheese chicken salad. Scroll down to the recipe card for exact amounts.

Cooked chicken – Chopped grilled chicken, shredded chicken breast, or rotisserie chicken all work well.
Cottage cheese – Adds protein and creaminess while keeping the salad light.
Mayonnaise – Just a small amount for extra richness and flavor.
Fresh dill – Brightens the salad and adds a fresh herbaceousness.

How to Make Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad

This recipe couldn’t be easier to put together.

Ingredients for cottage cheese chicken salad in glass bowl.

Combine the ingredients. Add the chopped chicken, cottage cheese, mayonnaise, and dill to a large mixing bowl.
Mix everything together. Stir until the ingredients are fully combined and the chicken is coated in the dressing.
Serve and enjoy. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat.

Easy Variations

Want to change things up? Here are some easy additions to this cottage cheese chicken salad.

Add crunch. Mix in chopped celery or diced red onion.
Make it tangy. Stir in a squeeze of lemon juice.
Add some sweetness. Fold in diced apples, halved grapes, or dried cranberries.
Try different herbs. Parsley, chives, tarragon, or basil all work beautifully.
Add avocado. Diced avocado makes the salad extra creamy.

Bowl of cottage cheese chicken salad with crackers.

Serving Suggestions

There are so many ways to enjoy this cottage cheese chicken salad:

On toasted gluten-free quinoa bread
In a wrap or pita
Over a bed of greens or in lettuce cups
With crackers for a quick snack
Stuffed into a croissant for a classic chicken salad sandwich

Storage

Store this cottage cheese chicken salad in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Give it a quick stir before serving to reincorporate everything. (I don’t recommend freezing this recipe.)

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 5 minutes

Total: 10 minutes

2 cups chopped chicken (grilled, rotisserie, etc.)
⅔ cup cottage cheese
2 tablespoons mayo
2 tablespoons chopped dill (or herb of choice)

Add all salad ingredients to a large bowl. Mix until combined.
Serve on toast, in a wrap, on top of greens, with crackers, etc.