This high protein cucumber chicken salad is quick, refreshing, and filling. It comes together in minutes with crisp cucumber, shredded chicken, and creamy cottage cheese.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ready in Minutes: Just slice, shred, mix, and you're done, no cooking needed.
- Filling without Being Heavy: It's just the right mix of protein and crunch.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: It keeps well, so you can make it ahead and enjoy it later.
The Easy Cucumber Chicken Salad Recipe I Make on Repeat
This cucumber chicken salad recipe is one I come back to again and again. I love how the crunchy cucumber, shredded rotisserie chicken, creamy cottage cheese, and dill all come together in such a simple way. A cucumber chicken salad like this feels light, but with the protein from the chicken and cottage cheese, it still keeps me full. I usually make this salad ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for busy days.
What I like most is how easy it is. I just stir the cottage cheese straight in, no blending needed, and it's perfect. Sometimes I eat this chicken and cucumber salad on its own, other times I enjoy it on bread. It's become my go-to high-protein cucumber chicken salad recipe; it's always quick, reliable, and satisfying.
Cucumber Chicken Salad Ingredients
You'll find the exact measurements in the recipe card, but here's a closer look at a few of the ingredients and why I use them.
- Cucumber & Red Onion: I like using an English cucumber for its crispness and mild flavor, and just half a red onion for a little bite and color that balances the creaminess.
- Chicken & Cottage Cheese: Shredded rotisserie chicken makes this easy and filling, while cottage cheese keeps it creamy and light without needing mayo.
- Olive Oil, Vinegar & Seasonings: A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil with white wine vinegar gives the right tang, and I keep it simple with salt, black pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder.
- Fresh Dill: I always chop it fresh. Dill is what makes this salad taste clean, bright, and so refreshing.
How to Make Cucumber Chicken Salad
You can find the complete printable recipe with measurements below, but for now, here's a quick overview of how it goes:
1. Prepare the Ingredients: Slice the cucumber into thin rounds, thinly slice the red onion, shred the chicken with two forks, and add everything to a large bowl with the cottage cheese.
2. Drizzle and Season: Add the extra virgin olive oil and vinegar, then season with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Add the Dill: Finely chop the fresh dill and add it to the bowl.
4. Mix and Serve: Toss everything well until evenly coated, then serve straight away or chill for 30 minutes if you want the flavors to come together more.
Variations
- Add Extra Crunch: Toss in a handful of chopped walnuts or sunflower seeds just before serving for a little texture contrast.
- Customize the Herbs: If you're out of dill, fresh parsley, or chives are great substitutes that still keep things fresh.
My Tips for Cucumber Chicken Salad
Rotisserie Chicken Makes It Easy: I often grab a rotisserie chicken when I'm short on time; it shreds right in and makes the salad come together so quickly.
Keep Leftovers Fresh: I store any extra in a sealed container in the fridge for up to two days. A quick stir before serving brings everything back together.
What to Serve with Cucumber Chicken Salad
This high protein cucumber chicken salad is crisp and refreshing, just the thing to pair with a hearty dish like Cherry Tomato Pasta, Shrimp Scampi, or Smothered Pork Chops for a well-rounded dinner.
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Recipe
High Protein Creamy Cucumber Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 1 large English cucumber - sliced
- ½ red onion - sliced
- 1 rotisserie boneless skinless chicken breast
- 75 g cottage cheese
- 3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoon white wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 10 g fresh dill
Instructions
- Slice the cucumber into thin rounds using a mandolin or a sharp knife.
- Thinly slice the red onion.
- Shred the rotisserie chicken breast using two forks.
- Add the cucumber, red onion, shredded chicken, and cottage cheese to a large bowl.
- Drizzle in the extra virgin olive oil and white wine vinegar.
- Sprinkle in the salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- Finely chop the fresh dill and add it to the bowl.
- Toss everything gently until well combined and evenly coated.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes to let the flavors develop.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Susan says
This looks so fresh and easy, exactly the kind of meal I love having ready in the fridge. The combo of crunchy cucumber and creamy cottage cheese sounds perfect! Can’t wait to try this one.