Cottage Cheese Lemon Basil Chicken Cups (Printable)
A light, protein-packed dish featuring chicken and cottage cheese in crisp lettuce cups with a zesty lemon basil twist.
# List of ingredients:
→ Proteins
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
→ Dairy
02 - 1 cup cottage cheese, preferably low-fat
→ Vegetables & Greens
03 - 1 large head butter lettuce or romaine, leaves separated and washed
04 - 1 small cucumber, finely diced
05 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
→ Herbs & Flavorings
06 - 1/4 cup fresh basil, thinly sliced
07 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
→ Seasoning & Oils
08 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
10 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Optional Garnishes
11 - Cherry tomatoes, halved
12 - Extra cracked black pepper
13 - Extra basil leaves
# Steps:
01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, cottage cheese, diced cucumber, red onion, and sliced basil. Mix the ingredients gently to incorporate the creamy cheese with the vegetables.
02 - Add the lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is evenly coated and creamy.
03 - Taste the mixture and adjust the level of salt or pepper if necessary to suit your preference.
04 - Scoop generous spoonfuls of the chicken mixture into the prepared lettuce leaves, shaping them to form handheld cups.
05 - Arrange the filled lettuce cups on a serving platter. Garnish with halved cherry tomatoes, extra basil leaves, and cracked black pepper. Serve immediately to maintain the crispness of the lettuce.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It comes together in less than half an hour using simple ingredients.
- The combination of zesty lemon and fresh basil tastes surprisingly sophisticated.
- You can easily prep the filling in advance for a quick grab-and-go lunch.
02 -
- Do not skip drying the lettuce leaves thoroughly or the filling will slide right off.
- Let the mixture sit for five minutes after mixing to allow the flavors to meld.
03 -
- Use a microplane to get the finest lemon zest without hitting the bitter white pith.
- Chop the cucumber and onion into very small dice so they do not overwhelm the delicate lettuce.