This keto jalapeno popper cottage cheese chicken salad is filled with flavor you can SEE! It’s food texture Heaven!
Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad
Yes, the recipe name is a mouthful! But so is the recipe itself.
It tastes like a jalapeno popper. But instead of mayonnaise, I used tangy cottage cheese and for the protein, some shredded chicken was perfect.
You can see every bit of flavor and texture – and it’s all completely customizable, too.
If you love cottage cheese, jalapeno poppers, and easy sandwich recipes, then this is the perfect recipe for you! It’s easily low-carb and comes with a tangy sour cream and cilantro lime dressing that ties all the ingredients together.
Keep reading and I’ll share my favorite tips and how to customize it for yourself.
Spicy Chicken Salad
Every bite of this sandwich is bursting with heat and flavor! The salad is made with a fresh jalapeno and the dressing has even more jalapenos, too.
Even so, this sandwich can be made spicier or milder.
If you want the jalapeno popper chicken salad to be spicier, use more jalapenos or mix in some habanero peppers. You could even add some pepperoncini peppers, too.
A splash of your favorite hot sauce will taste delicious with it too.
What about making it milder? You can leave the jalapenos out of the salad or the dressing or add more sour cream to the dressing.
That will help tame the heat too.
Jalapeno Pepper Chicken Salad
This texture-laden chicken salad was inspired by my first version – my Keto Jalapeno Popper Chicken Cucumber Salad. But that one doesn’t have cottage cheese and it includes cucumbers in it.
This time around I really wanted to recreate the flavors of a jalapeno popper. And I think adding cottage cheese to the salad and sour cream to the dressing was the perfect way to do that!
In fact, if you love jalapeno poppers, then I have a bunch of recipes you’ll love! Just type “jalapeno poppers” into the search bar and you’ll find them.
My favorites are my Keto Jalapeno Popper Baked Mini Sweet Peppers (because they’re bite-sized), and my Keto Jalapeno Popper Tuna Salad. The tuna salad is full of healthy fats (which is super important on keto).
Chicken Salad Ingredients
Every single ingredient in the chicken salad is completely customizable. It all starts with the chicken breast.
You can use leftover chicken or canned chicken. I added celery for some crunch (and fiber) but it’s optional.
If you don’t like celery, leave it out. The green onions add a fresh burst of flavor.
Use sharp cheddar cheese for the bite or replace with pepper jack for the heat. Jalapenos are essential.
Then, don’t forget the bacon! But you can use turkey bacon as a replacement.
The dressing is so delicious that I suggest making a double batch. The sour cream adds tanginess and the cilantro makes it taste fresh and slightly sweet.
If you don’t like cilantro, leave it out or use parsley as a replacement. Use fresh lime juice, or fresh lemon juice as a substitute.
Cottage Cheese Substitute
Cottage cheese has a unique texture that people either love or dislike. If you’re not a fan of the curds, then I suggest blending them until the cottage cheese is completely creamy.
Alternatively, you could use ricotta cheese as a substitute. It has a similar flavor and the creamy texture will keep all the ingredients together.
I suggest ricotta cheese, not mayonnaise. The mayo won’t taste as good with the cheese and jalapeno.
Keto Jalapeno Popper Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad Recipe
Below are the ingredients (and step by step pictures) that you’ll need to make this keto jalapeno popper cottage cheese chicken salad recipe. Exact measurements and instructions are in the printable recipe card, just a little further below.
SERVINGS: 5
PREP TIME: 15 minutes
COOK TIME: 30 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
SALAD:
- Chicken breast
- Cottage cheese
- Celery stalks – diced
- Green onions – sliced
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped, fresh jalapeno
- Bacon – cooked & crumbled
DRESSING:
- Sour cream
- Chopped, fresh jalapeno
- Fresh cilantro
- Onion powder
- Garlic salt
- Juice of 2 limes
DIRECTIONS:
Cook chicken breast based on your preference. (Baked, boiled, grilled). Once cooked through, shred and chop into small pieces. Set aside to cool.
Chop celery, green onions and jalapenos. In a large bowl combine the shredded chicken, celery, onions, jalapenos, bacon, cottage cheese and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir well.
In a food processor or blender, combine all of the DRESSING ingredients. Blend until smooth.
Pour the jalapeno dressing over the salad and toss.
Serve over salad greens, on keto bread, or enjoy as is!
Pin for later!
Follow me on Pinterest!
Keto Jalapeno Popper Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad
Equipment
- blender
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 large Chicken Breast
- 3/4 cup Cottage Cheese
- 2 Celery Stalks diced
- 2 Green Onions sliced
- 1/2 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 3 tbsp Chopped Fresh Jalapeno
- 5 slices Bacon cooked and crumbled
Cilantro Lime Dressing
- 1/2 cup Sour Cream
- 1/4 cup Chopped Fresh Jalapeno
- 1/4 cup Fresh Cilantro
- 1/2 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Garlic Salt
- Juice of 2 Limes
Instructions
- Cook chicken breast based on your preference. (Baked, boiled, grilled). Once cooked through, shred and chop into small pieces. Set aside to cool.
- Chop celery, green onions and jalapenos.
- In a large bowl combine the shredded chicken, celery, onions, jalapenos, bacon, cottage cheese and shredded cheddar cheese. Stir well.
- In a food processor or blender, combine all of the DRESSING ingredients. Blend until smooth.
- Pour the jalapeno dressing over the salad and toss.
- Serve over salad greens, on keto bread, or enjoy as is!
Notes
Chicken Salad Ideas
If you enjoyed this cottage cheese chicken salad, here are some more easy and delicious keto chicken salad ideas you should make next.
