If you’re hunting for a meal that ticks all the boxes—high in protein, bursting with texture, and as pleasing to look at as it is to eat—look no further than Low Carb Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad. This vibrant, wholesome salad is a celebration of lean chicken, creamy cottage cheese, crisp veggies, crunchy walnuts, and sweet, juicy blackberries all tossed together for a bite that’s satisfying but never heavy. Whether you’re prepping lunches for the week, looking for a light dinner, or just want to mix things up, this Low Carb Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad is a surefire way to bring a pop of flavor and color to your table.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity—the ingredient list is short, but every single addition makes a delicious impact. From the creamy base to the fruity punch, each element transforms this Low Carb Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad into a memorable dish.
- Chicken breast: Use cooked, chopped chicken breast for lean, protein-rich substance; rotisserie chicken works wonderfully in a pinch.
- Full-fat cottage cheese: This creamy ingredient adds moisture and helps bind everything together—plus, it amps up both protein and flavor!
- Celery: Diced celery brings essential crunch and a fresh, green note.
- Red cabbage: For a splash of color and a pleasing bite, don’t skip the purple cabbage.
- Blackberries: The unexpected star! These add bursts of sweetness and a lovely juiciness to balance the savory ingredients.
- Walnut halves: They provide crunchy texture and a touch of earthy richness.
- Green onions or chives: Just a tablespoon of finely chopped green onions or chives gives that bright pop of flavor.
- Salt & black pepper: Essential for seasoning—adjust to taste.
- Optional: lemon juice or mustard: A dash of either wakes up the whole salad, lending brightness and tang.
How to Make Low Carb Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad
Step 1: Gather and Prepare Your Ingredients
Start by making sure all your ingredients are prepped and ready to go. Chop your cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces, dice the celery and red cabbage, halve the walnuts, and wash those beautiful blackberries. It’s all about having your mise en place—ready and waiting—so assembling the salad is a breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Base
In a spacious mixing bowl, add the cottage cheese, chopped chicken, diced celery, red cabbage, and freshly sliced green onions or chives. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated and combined—the mixture should look creamy with colorful pops from the veggies.
Step 3: Fold in the Extras
Delicately fold in your fresh blackberries and walnut halves. You want to be gentle here so the blackberries don’t break up completely; their plump whole shape adds a pretty touch and lovely flavor bursts to your Low Carb Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad.
Step 4: Season and Finish
Season your salad with salt and black pepper to taste. If you like, add a squeeze of lemon juice or a little bit of mustard for extra zing. Mix everything carefully once more to let the flavors meld. Cover and chill for at least 20-30 minutes before serving—the brief chill not only boosts the refreshing quality of the salad but also lets the ingredients absorb all those fantastic flavors.
How to Serve Low Carb Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad
Garnishes
Sprinkle a few extra chopped green onions, a handful of fresh herbs (like parsley or dill), or even a couple of extra blackberries on top. Garnishes make each serving look as delightful as it tastes, and add an extra hit of freshness.
Side Dishes
This salad pairs well with simple, crisp side dishes like sliced cucumbers, radishes, or zucchini noodles. For a more substantial meal, serve it over a bed of mixed greens or alongside a slice of toasted low-carb bread or crispbread.
Creative Ways to Present
Try spooning your Low Carb Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad into avocado halves, serving in lettuce cups for a cute hand-held option, or even piling into jars for fun picnic-ready portions. The salad’s vibrant colors shine, no matter how you present it!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Pack leftover Low Carb Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad into an airtight container and store it in the fridge. It stays fresh, crisp, and tasty for up to three days, making it a stellar option for meal-prepping lunches or easy snacks.
Freezing
While this salad is best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the cooked chicken separately if you want to prep ahead. The finished salad doesn’t freeze well due to the fresh berries and cottage cheese, which can become watery and lose texture after thawing.
Reheating
This salad is meant to be served cold or at room temperature, so there’s no need to reheat. In fact, a quick chill enhances its flavor and texture! If you find it’s been sitting in the fridge for a day or two, simply give it a stir before serving.
FAQs
Can I use Greek yogurt instead of cottage cheese?
Absolutely! Greek yogurt makes a great substitute for cottage cheese if you crave a tangier, thicker base. The overall result is slightly different but still delicious and high-protein.
What’s the best way to cook the chicken for this recipe?
Poached, roasted, or grilled chicken breast all work beautifully—just make sure it’s cooked through and cooled before chopping. Rotisserie chicken is a big time-saver and adds extra savoriness.
Are there other fruits I can use besides blackberries?
Yes! Blueberries, raspberries, or diced strawberries integrate beautifully and keep the salad fresh and colorful. Just remember to choose lower-sugar fruits to keep it truly low carb.
How can I make this salad dairy-free?
You can swap the cottage cheese for a dairy-free alternative like almond or coconut-based yogurt. The texture changes a bit, but your salad remains creamy and delicious.
Is this salad suitable for meal prepping?
Definitely! The Low Carb Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad holds up well in the fridge for several days. Just wait to add the nuts and berries until right before serving for the best crunch and freshness.
Final Thoughts
This Low Carb Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad is as bright and inviting as it is nourishing, and I can’t recommend it enough. If you love variety in each bite and a hearty yet light meal, you’ll come back to this recipe time and again—so grab those fresh ingredients and treat yourself to a bowlful of flavor, texture, and color soon!
Print
Low Carb Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Calorie
Description
A protein-packed, refreshing salad made with shredded chicken, creamy cottage cheese, crunchy celery, sweet blackberries, walnuts, and purple cabbage—a light yet satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Chicken Salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped
Cottage Cheese Mixture:
- 1 cup full-fat cottage cheese
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/4 cup chopped red cabbage
- 1 tbsp green onions or chives
Additional:
- 1/2 cup fresh blackberries
- 1/4 cup walnut halves
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- Optional: dash of lemon juice or mustard
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine cottage cheese, chicken, celery, cabbage, and green onions. Gently mix well.
- Fold in blackberries and walnuts gently.
- Season with salt, pepper, and lemon juice or mustard.
- Chill the salad before serving.
Notes
- You can customize this salad by adding your favorite nuts or fruits.
- Adjust seasoning according to preference.
- For a tangy flavor, squeeze fresh lemon juice over the salad.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: International
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 215 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 340mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 68mg