Cottage Cheese Honey Mustard Chicken (Printable)
Crisp lettuce cups filled with creamy chicken, cottage cheese, and honey mustard dressing.
# List of ingredients:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 10.5 oz total)
02 - 1/2 tsp kosher salt
03 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 tbsp olive oil
→ Salad Base
05 - 1 cup cottage cheese (low-fat or full-fat)
06 - 2 stalks celery, finely diced
07 - 1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
08 - 1/2 cup red grapes, halved
09 - 1/4 cup toasted pecans or walnuts, chopped (optional)
10 - 2 tbsp fresh chives or parsley, finely chopped
→ Honey Mustard Dressing
11 - 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
12 - 1 1/2 tbsp honey
13 - 2 tbsp Greek yogurt (or mayonnaise)
14 - 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
15 - 1/4 tsp salt
16 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ To Serve
17 - 8 large butter lettuce or romaine leaves, washed and patted dry
# Steps:
01 - Season chicken breasts evenly with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Place chicken in the pan and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes, then dice into small cubes.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, Greek yogurt, apple cider vinegar, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper until smooth and fully combined. Set aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, add the diced chicken, cottage cheese, celery, red onion, halved grapes, toasted nuts (if using), and fresh herbs. Pour the prepared honey mustard dressing over the mixture. Gently toss with a spatula until all ingredients are evenly coated.
04 - Arrange the washed and dried lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Spoon the chicken salad mixture into each lettuce cup, dividing evenly among the 8 leaves. Mound slightly for presentation.
05 - Serve immediately for crisp lettuce, or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld. If chilling, cover loosely with plastic wrap to maintain lettuce crispness.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The cottage cheese adds incredible creaminess without the heaviness of traditional mayonnaise-based salads
- Each bite delivers that perfect sweet and tangy punch from the honey mustard dressing
- Everything comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like you fussed over it
02 -
- Letting the chicken rest before dicing is essential or all those juices will end up on your cutting board instead of in your salad
- The cottage cheese curds will break down slightly as you mix, which is exactly what creates that creamy consistency we want
- If you're making this ahead, wait to fill the lettuce cups until just before serving or they'll get soggy
03 -
- Use a sharp knife to dice the chicken into uniform cubes so every bite has the same texture
- Taste the dressing before adding it to the salad and adjust the honey or mustard to your preference