This high protein chicken salad is one of the easiest and most satisfying lunches you can prep ahead. Made with clean, wholesome ingredients, it keeps you full and fueled until dinner.
It comes together in minutes and stores beautifully in the fridge—making it a go-to for busy weeks, quick lunches, or even picnic-style dinners. You’re going to love how simple and delicious it is!
❤️ Why You’ll Love High Protein Chicken Salad
Looking for a lunch that’s simple to make, easy to prep, and actually keeps you full until dinner? This high protein chicken salad checks all the boxes!
It’s packed with lean protein and made with wholesome ingredients that leave you feeling nourished and satisfied. The best part? You can customize it with your favorite fresh veggies, herbs, and dressings to keep things flavorful and fun.
Whether you’re planning a quick lunch or a light, healthy dinner, this chicken salad is a go-to meal that supports your lifestyle and tastes amazing. We love that for us. 😉
🍲 Ingredients
Chicken – I like to use Kirkland’s canned chicken breast because it’s simple and affordable. But you can absolutely use chopped/ shredded rotisserie chicken!
Eggs – 2 or 3 hard boiled eggs, chopped.
Cottage cheese – I like full fat cottage cheese, but you can also use 2% to reduce the fat in the meal.
Pickles – Chopped pickles or relish works great!
Mayonnaise – For a little creaminess.
Mustard – I like classic yellow mustard, but Dijon also works!
Celery – Finely diced for crunch.
Seasonings – Measure all the seasonings with your heart <3
👩🍳 How to Make High Protein Chicken Salad
High Protein Chicken Salad
- Into a large mixing bowl, add your drained canned chicken.
- Chop your hard-boiled eggs and celery into small pieces and add to your bowl.
- Add the cottage cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, diced pickles, and seasonings to the bowl and mix well until everything is combined. The more you mix your ingredients the finer the chicken will become.
- Adjust the seasonings to your liking and enjoy with a raw carrot salad!
Raw Carrot Salad – Side Dish
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, honey, and rice vinegar.
- In a large mixing bowl, add your carrot ribbons and the dressing right on top.
- Toss well to combine and store in the fridge!
🪄 Tips and Tricks
- Everyone has their own preference when it comes to chicken salad… This high protein version is a solid starting point to add all your favorite flavors like grapes, raisins, or carrots and onions.
- Serve your chicken salad on two slices of sourdough sandwich bread, or with a side of crackers!
- Instead of using diced pickles, use 1 – 2 tablespoons of bottled relish.
- For the raw carrot salad, if you don’t have all the ingredients to make the soy dressing, use 2 – 3 tablespoons of a teriyaki sauce instead! Add sesame seeds for crunch.
- Serve on sourdough discard sandwich bread!
🗒 Variations
Buffalo Chicken Salad
- Ingredients: Shredded cooked chicken tossed in buffalo sauce, celery, carrots, green onions.
- Protein Boost: Add a dollop of Greek yogurt in the dressing.
- Topping: Blue cheese crumbles or shredded cheddar.
Asian Sesame Chicken Salad
- Ingredients: Grilled chicken, mixed greens, shredded carrots, bell peppers, snap peas.
- Protein Boost: Edamame beans.
- Dressing: Sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and grated ginger.
- Garnish: Sesame seeds chopped green onions.
Avocado Chicken Salad
- Ingredients: Diced cooked chicken, ripe avocado, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro.
- Protein Boost: Cottage cheese or Greek yogurt mixed in.
- Dressing: Lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
🗒 Substitutions
- Mayonnaise or dressing: Use Greek yogurt or hummus to increase protein content
- Cruciferous vegetables: Add chopped broccoli or snap peas for crunch and nutrients
- Add nuts/seeds: Almonds, sunflower seeds, or chia seeds for added protein and texture
🍞 Best served with
- On Whole Grain Bread or Wraps: Make a chicken salad sandwich or wrap for a filling meal.
- Over Greens: Serve on a bed of mixed greens or spinach for a light, nutritious option.
- With Vegetables: Include chopped celery, bell peppers, or cucumbers to add fiber and vitamins.
- Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro.
- Serve chilled for a refreshing experience.
- Use attractive bowls or plates to make it appealing.
👝 How to Store Leftovers
- Use an airtight container: Transfer the chicken salad to a clean, airtight container to prevent moisture loss and contamination.
- Refrigerate promptly: Store the salad in the refrigerator within two hours of preparation to prevent bacterial growth.
- Keep it cold: Maintain the refrigerator temperature at or below 40°F (4°C).
- Consume within 3-4 days: For best quality and safety, eat the leftover chicken salad within 3 to 4 days.
🤔 Common Questions
Yes! Greek yogurt adds creaminess and increases protein content while keeping the salad healthier.
It depends on the recipe, but a typical serving with chicken and cottage cheese can contain around 20-30 grams of protein.
High Protein Chicken Salad
Equipment
- Spatula
- Tupperware
Ingredients
- 2 cans chicken breast drained
- 3 hard boiled eggs
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 3 celery stalks diced
- 1 tbs yellow mustard
- 1 tbs diced pickles or relish
- ¼ cup mayo
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- ½ tsp granulated garlic
Raw Carrot Salad – Side Dish
- 4 – 5 large carrots – peeled into ribbons
- 1 tbs soy sauce
- 2 tbs sesame oil
- 1 tbs minced garlic
- ½ tbs rice vinegar
- 1 tbs honey
Instructions
High Protein Chicken Salad
- Into a large mixing bowl, add your drained canned chicken.
- Chop your hard-boiled eggs and celery into small pieces and add to your bowl.
- Add the cottage cheese, mayonnaise, mustard, diced pickles, and seasonings to the bowl and mix well until everything is combined. The more you mix your ingredients the finer the chicken will become.
- Adjust the seasonings to your liking and enjoy with a raw carrot salad!
Raw Carrot Salad – Side Dish
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, honey, and rice vinegar.
- In a large mixing bowl, add your carrot ribbons and the dressing right on top.
- Toss well to combine and store in the fridge!
Notes
Nutrition
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