Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad with Banana Peppers Recipe

Introduction

This Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad with Banana Peppers is a light and flavorful dish perfect for a quick lunch or a healthy snack. Combining tender chicken with creamy cottage cheese and a tangy kick from banana peppers, it’s both refreshing and satisfying.

Ingredients

• 1 cup rotisserie chicken, chopped into small chunks
• ½ cup low-fat (2% milkfat) cottage cheese, blended smooth
• ¼ cup jarred banana peppers (mild or spicy), diced
• ¼ cup red onion, diced
• ¼ cup celery, diced
• 2 tablespoons green onion, thinly sliced
• ½ teaspoon Dijon or spicy mustard
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt and pepper

Instructions

1. Step 1: Blend the cottage cheese, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a food processor until smooth.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the blended cottage cheese mixture with the chopped chicken, banana peppers, red onion, celery, and green onion. Stir until well combined.
3. Step 3: Taste the salad and adjust the seasonings with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately or chill until ready to serve.

Tips & Variations

• For extra creaminess, add a spoonful of Greek yogurt to the blended cottage cheese mixture.
• Swap banana peppers for pickled jalapeños if you prefer a spicier salad.
• Serve on whole-grain bread or lettuce wraps for a light meal.
• Add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or dill to brighten the flavors.

Storage

Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before serving, give it a gentle stir and adjust seasoning if needed. This salad tastes best chilled.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular cottage cheese instead of low-fat?

Yes, regular cottage cheese works well and will create a richer texture, but using low-fat keeps the salad lighter.

Is it possible to make this salad ahead of time?

Absolutely. Prepare the salad and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors will meld nicely, but avoid adding fresh herbs until just before serving.

Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad with Banana Peppers Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 92 reviews

• Author: lina
• Total Time: 10 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Diet: Low Fat

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Description

This Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad with Banana Peppers offers a healthy, protein-rich twist on classic chicken salad. Creamy blended low-fat cottage cheese replaces traditional mayo, giving the salad a smooth texture with fewer calories. The addition of diced banana peppers adds a subtle tangy heat that complements the savory chicken chunks, while red onion, celery, and green onion provide a fresh crunch. Perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner, this salad can be served on its own, in sandwiches, or with crackers.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad

• 1 cup rotisserie chicken, chopped into small chunks
• ¼ cup jarred banana peppers (mild or spicy), diced
• ¼ cup red onion, diced
• ¼ cup celery, diced
• 2 tablespoon green onion, thinly sliced

Dressing

• ½ cup low-fat (2% milkfat) cottage cheese, blended smooth
• ½ teaspoon Dijon or spicy mustard
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

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Instructions

1. Blend cottage cheese dressing: In a food processor, pulse the low-fat cottage cheese together with Dijon or spicy mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until the mixture is smooth and creamy, forming the dressing base.
2. Combine salad ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the chopped rotisserie chicken, diced banana peppers, red onion, celery, and sliced green onion. Mix them gently to distribute evenly.
3. Mix dressing with salad: Pour the blended cottage cheese dressing over the combined chicken and vegetables. Stir thoroughly until everything is well coated with the dressing.
4. Adjust seasonings and serve: Taste the salad and add more salt or pepper if needed. Serve immediately fresh or refrigerate in an airtight container until ready to enjoy, preferably within 1-2 days for best freshness.

Notes

• For a spicier salad, use spicy banana peppers and spicy mustard.
• You can substitute rotisserie chicken with cooked shredded chicken or leftover grilled chicken.
• This salad can be served on whole grain bread, in lettuce wraps, or with crackers as a snack.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
• Blending the cottage cheese creates a creamy texture without the need for mayonnaise, making it a lighter alternative.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Salad
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad, Healthy Chicken Salad, Low Fat Chicken Salad, Banana Peppers Chicken Salad, Protein Packed Salad, Quick Chicken Salad