Lemon Thyme Chicken Salad Cups (Print Version)
Refreshing chicken salad featuring lemon, cottage cheese, and aromatic thyme nestled in crispy lettuce cups.
# List of Ingredients:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 ounces)
02 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
03 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Salad Base
04 - 1 cup cottage cheese
05 - 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
06 - Zest and juice of 1 lemon
07 - 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
08 - 1 celery stalk, finely diced
09 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
10 - 1/2 cup cucumber, diced
11 - 1/4 cup toasted walnuts, chopped (optional)
12 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
13 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Serving Vessels
14 - 8 large butter lettuce leaves (or little gem lettuce)
# Step-by-step Instructions:
01 - Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place chicken in the pan and cook for 7–8 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature reaches 165°F). Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before dicing into bite-sized pieces.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cottage cheese, Greek yogurt, lemon zest, lemon juice, and fresh thyme. Whisk until smooth and well incorporated.
03 - Add the diced celery, red onion, cucumber, toasted walnuts (if using), and chopped parsley to the creamy base. Mix thoroughly to distribute ingredients evenly.
04 - Add the diced, cooked chicken to the bowl. Gently fold the mixture together until the chicken is evenly coated with the creamy dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper as desired.
05 - Carefully separate the butter lettuce leaves, keeping them intact. Rinse under cold water and pat completely dry with paper towels or a clean kitchen towel.
06 - Spoon the chicken salad mixture evenly into each lettuce cup, mounding slightly. Serve immediately, garnished with additional fresh thyme or parsley sprigs if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The cottage cheese creates the most velvety texture you have ever tasted in a chicken salad
- Each cup is like eating a tiny perfect meal that feels fancy but takes almost no effort
02 -
- The chicken needs those 5 minutes of resting time or it will lose all its juices when you cut into it
- Make sure your lettuce leaves are completely dry because any water will make the cups collapse
03 -
- Use room temperature cottage cheese for the smoothest texture possible
- Toast your walnuts in a dry pan for 3 minutes first to bring out their natural oils