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Creamy No-Mayo Chicken Salad Lunchbox Scoops (Easy & Healthy)

creamy no-mayo chicken salad - featured image
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A creamy, crunchy, and satisfying chicken salad made without mayonnaise, using Greek yogurt and cottage cheese for a healthier twist. Perfect for meal prep and packed lunches.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2%)
  • ¼ cup cottage cheese (small-curd, full-fat)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
  • 2 stalks celery, finely diced
  • ½ medium apple (Honeycrisp or Fuji), finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons red onion, finely minced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
  • Optional: ¼ cup toasted pecans or walnuts, ¼ cup dried cranberries or halved grapes, 1 tablespoon fresh dill

Instructions

  1. Blend the cottage cheese in a small food processor or blender for about 30 seconds until completely smooth. Set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, blended cottage cheese, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
  3. If using rotisserie chicken, remove skin and shred meat with two forks or hands into bite-sized pieces. If cooking from scratch, poach 1.5 pounds chicken breasts in simmering salted water for 12-15 minutes until cooked through, then shred. Let cool slightly.
  4. Finely dice celery, apple, and red onion. If adding nuts or dried fruit, prep those now.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, diced celery, apple, red onion, and fresh parsley. Pour dressing over the top and fold gently with a rubber spatula until everything is evenly coated.
  6. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
  7. After chilling, taste and adjust seasoning with more salt, lemon juice, or pepper as needed.
  8. Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, portion the chicken salad into small scoops. Serve on butter lettuce cups, endive leaves, cucumber rounds, or whole-grain crackers. For meal prep, portion into compartment lunchboxes with veggies and fruit.

Notes

For best texture, use full-fat or 2% Greek yogurt and cottage cheese. Slightly warm chicken absorbs the dressing better. Don’t overdress; start with two-thirds of the dressing and add more if needed. The salad tastes even better on day two. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Do not freeze.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken salad, no mayo, healthy lunch, meal prep, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, gluten-free, low-carb

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/creamy-no-mayo-chicken-salad-lunchbox-scoops-easy-and-healthy/