- Servings: 1
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Calories per Serving: 320 kcal
- Macros: Protein: 42g / Carbs: 12g / Fat: 8g / Fiber: 3g
The “Cheat Code” for Satiety and Shredding
If you’ve been following the latest health trends, you know that cottage cheese has made a massive comeback as a versatile protein powerhouse. This Chicken & Cucumber Cottage Cheese Bowl is the savory answer to the “sweet” cottage cheese bowls dominating social media. It combines the cool, creamy texture of high-protein dairy with the crunch of fresh vegetables and the savory satisfaction of lean chicken.
This bowl is a favorite for fitness enthusiasts and busy professionals because it requires almost zero cooking but delivers over 40 grams of protein. It’s the ultimate “no-cook” lunch that keeps you full for hours, preventing the mid-afternoon energy slump. By focusing on high-volume, low-density foods like cucumbers, we’ve created a clean-eating meal that feels like a feast but fits perfectly into a calorie deficit.
Whether you’re looking for a post-workout refuel or a quick, fresh dinner, this bowl is a nutritional powerhouse. It’s sharp, tangy, and incredibly refreshing—proving that cottage cheese is the ultimate canvas for a savory, high-performance meal.
Look at the Recipe
- Sensory Appeal: A vibrant, textured bowl with creamy white peaks, bright green crunch, and savory golden chicken.
- Flavor Highlight: Zesty “Everything Bagel” seasoning meets the cool, refreshing bite of rice vinegar and cucumber.
- Key Protein Benefit: Dual-source protein (dairy + poultry) for a complete amino acid profile to support muscle growth.
Ingredients Needed
- 1 cup Low-fat cottage cheese (small curd works best for texture)
- 4 oz Cooked chicken breast, cubed or shredded (rotisserie chicken is a great shortcut!)
- 1 Medium English cucumber, sliced or diced
- 1 tbsp Rice vinegar or fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Everything Bagel seasoning (or a mix of sesame seeds, garlic, and sea salt)
- Optional: A drizzle of Sriracha or chili crunch for a spicy kick.
How to Make Our Savory Cottage Cheese Bowl
The Base: Scoop the cold cottage cheese into a wide, shallow bowl. Using a shallow bowl allows you to spread the toppings out, ensuring you get a bit of creamy and crunchy in every single bite.
The Protein Boost: Top the cottage cheese with your cooked chicken. If your chicken is cold from the fridge, you can give it a quick 30-second warm-up in the microwave, or leave it chilled for a more refreshing summer salad feel.
The Crunch: Layer on the diced cucumbers. Pro-Tip: If you have an extra minute, toss the cucumber slices in the rice vinegar and a pinch of salt beforehand to “quick-pickle” them for extra tang.
The Finishing Touch: Sprinkle generously with the Everything Bagel seasoning. This adds the necessary “crust” flavor and saltiness that ties the dairy and poultry together. Add your hot sauce or chili crunch now if you’re looking for that metabolism-boosting heat.
Storage & Serving Suggestions
- Storing: This bowl is best enjoyed fresh to maintain the crunch of the cucumber. However, you can prep the chicken and cucumber in advance.
- Meal Prep: Store the cottage cheese and chicken in separate compartments of a meal prep container to prevent the cheese from making the chicken soggy.
- Serving Pairings: Pair with a few high-fiber seed crackers or a side of pickled ginger for a gut-healthy addition.
Tips & FAQs
Does this taste like a salad or a snack? Because of the vinegar and savory seasoning, this eats very much like a deconstructed chicken salad or a high-protein “dip.” It is incredibly savory and satisfying.
Can I use chicken thighs? Absolutely. Chicken thighs will increase the fat content and calories slightly, but they add a richer flavor that pairs beautifully with the tangy cottage cheese.
How do I make the cottage cheese smoother? If you aren’t a fan of the “curd” texture, you can pulse the cottage cheese in a blender for 15 seconds before adding it to the bowl. This creates a silky, whipped base that feels much more indulgent.
