Your New Favorite High-Protein Power Bowl is Here!
Hey there, friend! Let’s have a real kitchen chat for a second. Have you ever stared into your fridge, craving something that’s both incredibly satisfying and makes you feel like a glowing, healthy superstar? You want something fresh and crunchy, but also creamy and comforting. You need fuel, but you also want flavor that makes you close your eyes and go, “Mmm.”
If you’re nodding your head, then you and I are on the exact same page. And I have just the thing to solve that delicious dilemma.
Let me introduce you to my Cottage Cheese Green Goddess Chicken Bowl. This isn’t just another salad. Oh no. This is a vibrant, textural masterpiece built in a bowl. We’re talking juicy grilled chicken, a rainbow of crisp veggies, and the real star of the show: a creamy, herbaceous, tangy Green Goddess dressing that gets its unbelievable creaminess from a secret weapon—cottage cheese.
This dressing is a game-changer. It’s packed with protein, lower in fat than traditional versions, and so deliciously spoon-lickable that you’ll want to put it on everything. It’s the perfect meal for a busy weeknight, a make-ahead lunch that you’ll actually be excited for, or a light-yet-hearty dinner that leaves you feeling energized and happy.
So, tie on your favorite apron (the one with the cute pockets, obviously), and let’s build a bowl that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. This is the kind of recipe that proves eating well doesn’t have to be complicated or boring. It’s all about big, bold, feel-good flavors. Ready to chow down?
A Goddess is Born: My Love Affair with Green Goddess
This recipe holds a special place in my heart because it’s a mash-up of two of my favorite food memories. The first is from my culinary school days in San Francisco. I was utterly obsessed with the classic Green Goddess dressing, a creation born in that very city in the 1920s. I loved its vibrant green color and how the fresh herbs made even the simplest greens taste like a celebration.
The second memory is of my grandma. She was a firm believer in the power of cottage cheese long before it became a TikTok sensation. She’d eat it with peaches for lunch, and I remember thinking it was such a curious, old-fashioned food. Years later, while playing in my own kitchen, I was trying to create a healthier, protein-packed dressing that didn’t skimp on creaminess. My blender was whirring with herbs, and on a whim, I grabbed that tub of cottage cheese from the fridge, thinking of my grandma.
I blended it in, and magic happened. The dressing became luxuriously smooth, rich, and tangy. It was a “text-your-best-friend” moment. I’d taken a classic, fancy-pants dressing and given it a modern, wholesome, protein-powered twist that my grandma would have absolutely approved of. It’s a beautiful reminder that the best recipes often come from mixing a little tradition with a whole lot of kitchen curiosity.
Gathering Your Bowl-Building Crew: The Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to create this high-protein masterpiece. Don’t be shy about substitutions—cooking is about making it work for you!
For the Cottage Cheese Green Goddess Dressing:
- ½ cup Cottage Cheese: This is our creamy, high-protein base! I prefer full-fat or 2% for the best texture and flavor, but any fat percentage works. Chef’s Insight: If you’re sensitive to texture, blending is key—it transforms the curds into a silky-smooth canvas for our herbs.
- 1 clove Garlic: For that essential savory punch. Feel the power!
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice: Freshly squeezed is always best! It adds the bright, tangy acidity that makes the flavors pop.
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil: A little fat helps carry the flavors and gives the dressing a beautiful body.
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh Parsley: The base of our “goddess” herb garden. It’s fresh and clean.
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh Basil (or Cilantro): Basil adds a sweet, aromatic note, while cilantro will give it a more vibrant, zesty kick. You can’t go wrong!
- 1 tsp Dijon Mustard: Our secret weapon for depth and a little emulsifying magic. It helps bind everything together.
- Salt and Pepper to taste: The dynamic duo! Season generously—they awaken all the other ingredients.
For the Bowl Assembly:
- 2 cups cooked Grilled Chicken Breast, chopped: The lean protein star. I’ll often use leftover grilled chicken or a store-bought rotisserie chicken to make this bowl even faster. Substitution Tip: Not a chicken person? Grilled shrimp, chickpeas, or even flaky salmon would be incredible here.
- 2 cups Mixed Greens or Romaine Lettuce: Our crunchy foundation. I love a spring mix for its variety, but crisp romaine hearts work beautifully too.
- ½ cup Cucumber, diced: For a cool, refreshing crunch.
- ½ cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved: Little bursts of sweet, juicy acidity. Sun gold tomatoes are my absolute favorite for this!
- ½ Avocado, sliced: Creamy, healthy fats that make the bowl feel indulgent and satisfying.
- ¼ cup Red Onion, thinly sliced: A sharp, peppery bite that cuts through the creaminess. If raw onion is too strong for you, a quick pickle in some lemon juice or vinegar for 10 minutes will mellow it out perfectly.
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil (optional, for drizzling): A final glossy drizzle never hurt anybody! It adds a lovely, fruity finish.
Let’s Build the Magic: Step-by-Step Instructions
This is where the fun really begins. We’re going to create layers of flavor and texture that will make every single bite exciting. Follow these steps, and you’ll be a bowl-building pro in no time.
- Become a Dressing Deity. This is always our first step! Get out your blender or small food processor. Add the cottage cheese, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, fresh herbs, and Dijon mustard. Now, BLEND! Let it go for a good 30-60 seconds, until it’s completely smooth, vibrant green, and dreamily creamy. Chef’s Hack: Stop the blender, scrape down the sides with a spatula, and blend again for another 15 seconds to make sure you don’t have any hidden herb chunks. Give it a taste—this is your moment! Adjust with more salt, pepper, or a squeeze of lemon until it sings for you. Set it aside while you build the bowls.
- Chop and Prep Your Veggies. While your dressing is resting (this lets the flavors get to know each other), let’s get chopping. Dice the cucumber, halve the cherry tomatoes, thinly slice the red onion, and slice that beautiful, ripe avocado. I like to keep my components in little piles on my cutting board—it makes me feel like I’m on my own cooking show.
- Prepare Your Protein. If you’re grilling chicken fresh, season it simply with salt, pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder. Cook it over medium-high heat until you get those beautiful grill marks and the internal temperature hits 165°F. Let it rest for a few minutes before chopping it into bite-sized pieces. If you’re using leftover or rotisserie chicken, just give it a quick chop! Pro Tip: Warm chicken on a freshly assembled cold bowl is a fantastic contrast in temperature. Don’t be afraid to gently warm your protein before adding it.
- Assemble Your Masterpiece. Grab your favorite bowls—the big, wide ones are best for this! Start with a generous bed of your mixed greens. This is your canvas. Now, artfully arrange your other components. I like to create little piles or sections: the juicy chicken here, the cool cucumbers there, the bright tomatoes next to them, and so on. This keeps the textures distinct and makes the bowl visually stunning. Place those creamy avocado slices right on top where you can see them.
- The Grand Finale: Drizzle and Devour. Take that gorgeous green dressing you made and drizzle it liberally all over your beautiful bowl. Don’t be shy! You made it, you deserve it. If you’re feeling fancy, a final, thin stream of olive oil over the top adds a professional touch. And that’s it! Your high-protein, fresh, and utterly delicious Cottage Cheese Green Goddess Chicken Bowl is ready to be enjoyed immediately.
How to Serve & Savor Your Creation
This bowl is a complete meal all on its own, but how you serve it can make it feel even more special. Here are a few of my favorite ways to enjoy it:
For the Ultimate Meal Prep: This is a meal-prepping superstar! To keep everything fresh, store the components separately. Keep the dressing in a small jar or container. Chop all your veggies and chicken, and store them in their own containers. In the morning, just grab a container, layer your greens, top with your prepped ingredients, and pack the dressing on the side. Assemble right before eating to keep everything crisp.
For a Heartier Dinner: If you’re serving this for dinner and want something a bit more substantial, I love adding a scoop of cooked quinoa, farro, or a slice of crusty, whole-grain bread on the side for dipping into any leftover dressing. It’s the perfect way to round out the meal.
For a “Wow-Worthy” Presentation: When I’m serving this to friends, I pay a little extra attention to the plating. I use a wide, shallow bowl and arrange the ingredients in a colorful, circular pattern. I’ll add the dressing in a zig-zag pattern and finish with a final sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper and a few whole basil leaves. It looks like it came from a fancy cafe!
Make It Your Own: Delicious Recipe Variations
The beauty of a bowl is its flexibility! Here are a few of my favorite ways to mix it up and keep things interesting.
- Mediterranean Twist: Swap the chicken for a can of drained and rinsed chickpeas. Add in some chopped Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and a sprinkle of dried oregano. The flavors are a natural fit for the herby dressing!
- Spicy Southwest Fiesta: Replace the basil and parsley with cilantro in the dressing and add a pinch of cumin and a dash of hot sauce. For the bowl, use black beans instead of chicken, add roasted corn, and top with a sprinkle of shredded pepper jack cheese and a dollop of salsa.
- Everything Bagel Vibe: Keep the chicken, but swap the veggies for sliced radishes, chopped celery, and everything bagel seasoning sprinkled generously over the top, especially on the avocado. It’s a fantastic texture and flavor combo!
- Vegan Goddess Bowl: Easy! Use silken tofu or a vegan, unsweetened yogurt instead of the cottage cheese in the dressing. For protein, load up on roasted chickpeas, marinated tofu, or tempeh. It’s just as creamy and delicious.
- Berry & Goat Cheese Delight: For a sweet and savory spin, add a handful of fresh strawberries or blueberries to the bowl and top with a sprinkle of creamy crumbled goat cheese. The combination with the herby dressing is unexpectedly divine.
Chef Emily’s Kitchen Notes
This recipe has been a staple in my kitchen for years, and it’s evolved in so many fun ways. I once accidentally used mint instead of basil (I was in a serious hurry and not paying attention!), and you know what? It was actually a delicious, refreshing mistake! It just goes to show that you should feel free to play with your herbs.
My biggest piece of advice? Taste your dressing as you go. Love garlic? Add an extra clove. Craving more tang? Another squeeze of lemon is your answer. This is your bowl, your dressing, your masterpiece. Make it taste perfect to you. The first time I made this for my now-husband, he looked at the green dressing skeptically, took one bite, and then proceeded to drink the extra dressing from the bowl. True story. It’s that good.
Your Questions, Answered: FAQs & Troubleshooting
I’ve gotten so many wonderful questions about this recipe over the years. Here are the most common ones to help you out!
Q: My dressing is too thick! How can I thin it out?
A: No problem at all! This is an easy fix. Simply add a teaspoon of water, lemon juice, or olive oil at a time to the blender and blitz again until it reaches your desired, drizzly consistency.
Q: Can I make this dressing ahead of time?
A: Absolutely! In fact, I highly recommend it. The flavors meld and deepen beautifully when it sits. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. You may need to give it a quick stir or shake before using, as it can settle a bit.
Q: I don’t have a blender or food processor. Can I still make the dressing?
A> You can try! The texture just won’t be as perfectly smooth. Use an immersion blender if you have one. If not, you can mash the cottage cheese with a fork until it’s as smooth as possible, then very finely mince the herbs and garlic before whisking everything together vigorously. It will be a bit more rustic, but still totally tasty.
Q: My chicken always turns out dry. Any tips?
A> You’re not alone! The two golden rules for juicy chicken are: 1) Don’t overcook it. Use a meat thermometer and pull it off the heat at 165°F. 2) Let it REST for at least 5-10 minutes after cooking before you slice or chop it. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat. Brining the chicken in salted water for 30 minutes before cooking also works wonders!
Fueling Your Body: The Nutritional Lowdown
While I’m a chef, not a dietitian, I love understanding how food makes us feel. This bowl is a fantastic balance of macronutrients, which is why it’s so satisfying. The grilled chicken and cottage cheese dressing provide a massive protein punch (around 40g per serving!), which is essential for building and repairing muscle and for keeping you full and energized for hours.
The healthy fats from the avocado and olive oil help your body absorb all the fat-soluble vitamins from the veggies and keep your skin glowing. The carbohydrates from the fresh vegetables are the good, complex kind that provide steady energy and a ton of fiber for happy digestion. It’s a meal that truly covers all the bases, proving that nutritious food can and should be an absolute delight to eat.
Please note: Nutritional information is an estimate and can vary based on the specific brands and quantities of ingredients you use.
Final Thoughts from My Kitchen to Yours
Well, my friend, we’ve done it. We’ve taken a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients and turned them into something truly spectacular. This Cottage Cheese Green Goddess Chicken Bowl is more than just a recipe to me; it’s a reminder that eating well is an act of self-care that doesn’t have to be fussy, restrictive, or time-consuming. It can be vibrant, joyful, deeply nourishing, and—most importantly—completely satisfying.
This bowl embodies all the things I love about good food: the freshness of the herbs, the crunch of the veggies, the creaminess of the dressing, the lean, juicy protein, and the beautiful balance of it all coming together in one colorful, feel-good meal. It’s the kind of dish that makes you pause for a moment, breathe, and appreciate what you’re giving your body—not just fuel, but flavor, comfort, and energy.
I hope this recipe finds a home in your weekly rotation and brings you the same sense of brightness and empowerment it brings me. Whether you’re packing it up for a busy workday, enjoying it al fresco on your porch, or serving it to someone you love, know that you’re nourishing yourself in the best way possible.
And if you do make it (which I hope you absolutely will!), I’d love to see your gorgeous bowls. Tag me @TastyChow so I can cheer you on and admire your kitchen magic. Until then, keep cooking with curiosity, keep feeding yourself with love, and keep remembering that healthy food should make you feel happy—not deprived.
