High Protein Ranch Chicken Salad
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This High Protein Ranch Chicken Salad is a delicious way to give classic chicken salad a protein-packed twist. Instead of a traditional dressing, this version gets its creamy texture from blended cottage cheese, which adds extra protein while still creating a smooth, flavorful dressing. You can even adjust the protein level slightly depending on the milk you choose for the dressing.
The homemade ranch dressing comes together easily by adding all of the ingredients to a blender and blending until smooth and creamy. Once it is ready, it is mixed with shredded cooked chicken and chopped celery for a simple salad full of texture and flavor. Using rotisserie chicken makes this recipe especially quick and convenient, so it is perfect for easy lunches, meal prep, or busy days when you need something fast.
There are plenty of ways to serve it, which makes it even more versatile. It is delicious piled onto croissants or sandwich rolls, stuffed in a pita, or rolled up in a tortilla. It is also great scooped up with crackers if you want something lighter. No matter how you serve it, it is a tasty option your family will enjoy, and you can feel good knowing it is a meal with an extra protein boost. My family had no idea the dressing was made with cottage cheese!
Ingredients for High Protein Ranch Chicken Salad
- MILK – The milk helps thin the dressing to the right consistency, blending it into a smooth, creamy texture. You can also use the type of milk that best fits your needs, which can slightly affect the protein content.
- APPLE CIDER VINEGAR – Apple cider vinegar adds a little tang to the dressing and helps give it that classic ranch-style flavor. It brightens everything up and balances the creaminess of the cottage cheese.
- COTTAGE CHEESE – Cottage cheese is the base of the dressing and what makes this chicken salad higher in protein. Once blended, it becomes smooth and creamy, adding richness without requiring many extra ingredients.
- GARLIC – Garlic adds savory flavor and helps give the dressing more depth. It works especially well with the ranch-inspired herbs and seasonings.
- DRIED PARSLEY – Dried parsley adds a mild herb flavor and helps give the dressing that familiar ranch taste. It also adds a little color to the finished salad.
- DRIED CHIVES – Dried chives add a light onion flavor to the dressing, classic in ranch-style recipes. They add just enough flavor without being overpowering.
- DRIED DILL – Dried dill adds a fresh, herby flavor that works really well in the dressing. It is one of the ingredients that helps make the dressing taste more like ranch.
- ONION POWDER – Onion powder adds a smooth, savory flavor that blends easily into the dressing. It helps round out the overall flavor without adding texture.
- BLACK PEPPER – Black pepper adds a little bit of spice and helps balance the creamy dressing.
- SALT – Salt helps bring all of the flavors together and enhances the taste of the dressing and chicken salad as a whole.
- CHICKEN – Chicken is the main ingredient in the salad, making it hearty and filling. Cooked shredded chicken breasts works best, and rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut to make the recipe quick and easy.
- CELERY – Celery adds a nice crisp texture and fresh flavor to the chicken salad. It adds a little crunch to the salad, which pairs really well with the creamy dressing.
Instructions for High Protein Ranch Chicken Salad Recipe
Start by adding all of the dressing ingredients to a blender in the order listed. Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. If you do not have a blender, a food processor will work well too.
In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken and chopped celery. Pour in the dressing a little at a time, stirring as you go, until the chicken salad reaches the consistency you like. Depending on the texture of your cottage cheese, you may not need to use all of the dressing. Extra dressing is perfect for dipping raw veggies!
You can serve the chicken salad right away, but it is even better if you let it chill in the refrigerator for about 2 hours first. That extra time helps all of the flavors come together and makes the salad even more delicious.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the cottage cheese taste strong in the dressing?
No. Once blended with the herbs and seasonings, it becomes a smooth, creamy dressing with a ranch-style flavor.
Can I use a food processor instead of a blender?
Yes. A food processor works well if you do not have a blender.
What kind of milk works best?
You can use the milk you prefer. Different kinds of milk may slightly change the protein amount and consistency, but they should all work.
Can I add anything else to the chicken salad?
Yes. Grapes, sliced almonds, green onions, or chopped apples could all be tasty additions depending on the flavor you want.
How long will it keep in the refrigerator?
Leftovers should keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 days.
Can I use canned chicken?
You could, but shredded cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken will give the best flavor and texture.
Can I make this recipe lower in fat?
Yes. Using a lower-fat cottage cheese and milk can help lighten it up while still keeping it high in protein.
Is this recipe good for meal prep?
Yes. It is a great make-ahead option for lunches or quick meals during the week.
Tips and Tricks
- Use rotisserie chicken. It saves time and makes the recipe extra easy.
- Blend the dressing until smooth. This gives the cottage cheese dressing the best creamy texture.
- Add the dressing a little at a time. That helps you get the exact consistency you want.
- Let it chill before serving. A couple of hours in the fridge makes the flavor even better.
- Add extra mix-ins if you like. Grapes, green onions, almonds, or chopped apples can all be fun ways to change it up.
- Serve it in different ways. Croissants, wraps, rolls, or crackers all work great.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
- Frito Fiesta Chicken Salad
- Rotisserie Chicken Salad
- Apple Almond Chicken Salad Wraps
- Chicken Enchilada Salad Wraps
High Protein Ranch Chicken Salad
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
Dressing
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1 tsp dried chives
- 1 tsp dried dill
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ¾ tsp salt
Salad Ingredients
- 4 ½ cups chicken shredded
- 2 stalks celery diced
Instructions
- Add the dressing ingredients to your blender in the order listed. If you don’t have a blender, a food processor will also work. Process until smooth.
- In a large bowl, add the chicken and celery. Add in the dressing a little at a time while mixing. You may not all of the dressing. The dressing consistency can vary simply because cottage cheese can vary in consistency. You can enjoy right away. However, if you can leave it in the fridge for 2 hours, it’s even better. It gives the flavors time to meld together.
Nutrition
Recipe adapted from The Lean Protein Queen.
