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Cottage Cheese Dill Pickle Chicken Salad

Cottage Cheese Dill Pickle Chicken Salad


  • Author: Freya Allen
  • Total Time: 10 mins
  • Yield: 2-3 servings 1x

Description

Creamy Cottage Cheese Dill Pickle Chicken Salad — a high-protein, low-carb lunch that’s tangy, crunchy, and ready in minutes. Made with shredded chicken, protein-packed cottage cheese, chopped dill pickles, and savory ranch seasoning, this chicken salad is perfect for meal prep, sandwiches, lettuce cups, wraps, or bowls. Bright lemon juice and a hint of black pepper balance the flavors while optional add-ins like celery, red onion, or avocado add texture and freshness. Ideal for healthy lunches, post-workout meals, or gluten-free eating, this quick chicken salad swaps mayo for cottage cheese without sacrificing creaminess. Make a double batch for easy weekday meals!


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or poached)
  • ½ cup small-curd cottage cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped dill pickles (plus extra slices for garnish)
  • 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt (for extra creaminess)
  • Optional: 2 tablespoons chopped celery for crunch
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon finely chopped red onion or chives
  • Optional: ½ ripe avocado, mashed (for avocado variation)

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together cottage cheese, ranch seasoning, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until smooth.
  2. Fold in the shredded chicken until fully coated in the dressing.
  3. Stir in chopped dill pickles and any optional add-ins such as celery or red onion.
  4. Taste and adjust seasoning — add more lemon for brightness or ranch for flavor.
  5. Cover and chill for 20 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  6. Serve on toast, in lettuce wraps, or over greens. Garnish with pickle slices and dill if desired.
  7. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.

Notes

  • Use rotisserie chicken for the fastest prep and best texture.
  • Blend cottage cheese briefly for a smoother consistency if desired.
  • Taste before salting since ranch seasoning and pickles are already salty.
  • Keep bread or lettuce separate until serving to avoid sogginess.
  • Make it dairy-free by swapping cottage cheese for blended silken tofu with lemon and olive oil.
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 0 mins
  • Category: Lunch
  • Method: Mixing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 275
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 480 mg
  • Fat: 10 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg

Keywords: cottage cheese chicken salad, dill pickle chicken salad, high protein lunch, low carb chicken salad, healthy chicken salad recipe, meal prep chicken salad