High Protein Chicken Salad (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ For the Chicken Salad

01 - 3 cups of rotisserie chicken, chopped and skin removed
02 - 1 serving of blended cottage cheese (see recipe below) - you can swap for Greek yogurt, dairy-free yogurt, or regular mayo
03 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise or the light version
04 - Half of a red onion, finely diced
05 - 1/2 cup pepperoncinis, roughly chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon pepperoncini juice from the jar
07 - 1 tablespoon hot pepper jelly
08 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
09 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
10 - Salt and freshly ground pepper to your liking
11 - Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (optional for garnish)

→ For the Blended Cottage Cheese

12 - 1 cup cottage cheese
13 - 2 tablespoons pepperoncini juice

# Instructions:

01 - Start by blending your cottage cheese with the pepperoncini juice in a food processor or blender until it's completely smooth and creamy. This creates that rich, indulgent texture we're after.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine your chopped rotisserie chicken with the blended cottage cheese mixture and mayonnaise. Give it a good stir until everything's nicely coated. Then add your diced red onion, chopped pepperoncinis, salt, pepper, garlic powder, pepper jelly, onion powder, and that extra splash of pepperoncini juice. Mix everything together until well combined.
03 - Pop the chicken salad in the fridge for at least 20 minutes to let all those delicious flavors meld together. Serve it chilled over fresh lettuce, tucked into a croissant, wrapped in a gluten-free tortilla, or with some crispy veggies and crackers for dipping.

# Notes:

01 - This recipe doubles beautifully - make a big batch and portion it out for easy grab-and-go lunches throughout the week.
02 - Since this is a simple recipe, the quality of your ingredients really shines through. Choose fresh rotisserie chicken, good-quality mayo (or try making your own!), and freshly chopped vegetables for the best results.
03 - The key to that creamy, luxurious texture is blending the cottage cheese until it's completely smooth. If it still seems a bit grainy, just blend for a few more seconds.