Low Carb Jalapeno Popper Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad (Print version)

Zesty, creamy chicken salad with crispy bacon, fresh jalapeños, and cottage cheese. A satisfying low-carb meal ready in 35 minutes.

# What you'll need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
02 - 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

→ Vegetables

03 - 2-3 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely diced
04 - 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
05 - 1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced

→ Dairy & Dressing

06 - 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
07 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise
08 - 2 oz cream cheese, softened
09 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

→ Seasonings

10 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
11 - 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
13 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

# Method:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, bacon, jalapeños, celery, green onions, and cheddar cheese.
02 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy.
03 - Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and stir until evenly coated.
04 - Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
05 - Garnish with fresh parsley if using. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving for best flavor. Serve chilled, on lettuce leaves or as a filling for lettuce wraps.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • You get all the bold flavors of jalapeno poppers without the breading and frying
  • The cottage cheese creates an incredibly smooth texture while packing in extra protein
  • Everything comes together in under 40 minutes, and it tastes even better the next day
02 -
  • The cottage cheese curds will soften significantly during chilling, so do not panic if the texture seems slightly lumpy initially
  • Jalapeño heat levels vary wildly, so always taste a tiny bit before adding all of them to the bowl
03 -
  • Use an immersion blender on the cottage cheese if anyone in your family objects to the texture
  • Let the cream cheese sit on the counter for 30 minutes before mixing to prevent any lumps in the final dressing

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