Low Carb Jalapeno Popper Cottage Cheese Chicken Salad (Printable)

Zesty chicken salad with creamy cottage cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh jalapeños. A low-carb twist on classic jalapeño poppers.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
02 - 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

→ Dairy

03 - 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
04 - 2 oz cream cheese, softened
05 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
06 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise

→ Vegetables

07 - 2–3 fresh jalapeños, seeded and finely diced
08 - 1/2 cup celery, finely chopped
09 - 1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced

→ Seasonings

10 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
11 - 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
12 - Salt and black pepper, to taste
13 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

# Directions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked chicken, bacon, jalapeños, celery, green onions, and cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
02 - In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Ensure no lumps remain.
03 - Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture. Stir until all ingredients are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
04 - Taste the salad and adjust salt, pepper, or spices as desired. Add more diced jalapeño if additional heat is preferred.
05 - Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled on lettuce leaves or as a filling for lettuce wraps. Garnish with fresh parsley if using.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cottage cheese creates this insanely creamy base without being heavy like traditional mayo-heavy chicken salads
  • You get all the jalapeño popper flavors you crave but can actually eat this every day without the guilt
02 -
  • The flavors intensify significantly after chilling in the fridge for a few hours. If you taste it right after mixing and think it needs something, wait and taste again after chilling.
  • Double the batch because this disappears faster than you expect. I have made the mistake of thinking it would last for days and then eaten it all in one sitting.
03 -
  • Use a food processor to pulse the cottage cheese if you want an ultra-smooth dressing without any curds
  • Cook the bacon in the oven at 400°F for 15 minutes for perfectly crispy results without the mess

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