Cilantro Lime Chicken Cottage Cheese (Printable Version)
Tender chicken with creamy cottage cheese, bright lime, and fresh cilantro served in crisp lettuce cups for a refreshing, protein-packed meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded (about 2 medium breasts)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
04 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
→ Salad Base
05 - 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
06 - 1/2 cup celery, finely diced
07 - 1/2 cup red bell pepper, finely diced
08 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
09 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
10 - Zest of 1 lime
11 - Juice of 1 1/2 limes
12 - 1 teaspoon honey (optional)
13 - 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
14 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
15 - 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (optional, to taste)
→ For Serving
16 - 8 large butter lettuce leaves (or romaine, Boston lettuce)
17 - Additional lime wedges, for garnish
18 - Extra chopped cilantro, for garnish
# How To Make:
01 - If using raw chicken, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side until fully cooked through and internal temperature reaches 165°F. Let rest until cool enough to handle, then dice or shred into bite-sized pieces.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cottage cheese, celery, red bell pepper, red onion, chopped cilantro, lime zest, lime juice, honey if using, garlic powder, ground cumin, and chili flakes. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
03 - Add the cooled diced or shredded chicken to the cottage cheese mixture. Fold gently until the chicken is evenly coated and the salad is creamy throughout. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or lime juice as needed.
04 - Arrange butter lettuce leaves on a serving platter. Spoon the chicken salad evenly among the lettuce cups, dividing the mixture equally.
05 - Top each cup with additional chopped cilantro and serve with lime wedges on the side. Serve immediately for the freshest flavor and crispest lettuce texture.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The cottage cheese secretly replaces mayo, giving you a creamy texture with way more protein and none of the heaviness.
- Everything comes together in one bowl with no fancy techniques, so you can have dinner on the table in about half an hour.
02 -
- Warm chicken will wilt the lettuce and make the cottage cheese separate, so let it cool completely before mixing.
- The salad thickens as it sits in the fridge, and actually tastes even better the next day once the flavors have mingled.
03 -
- Use a microplane to zest the lime before you juice it, since a zested lime is slippery and harder to handle.
- Pat the lettuce leaves dry with a paper towel before filling them, because even a little extra water makes the bottom of the cup soggy.