Dill Pickle Chicken Salad (High Protein Meal Prep)

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When the weather starts warming up, this Dill Pickle Chicken Salad is one of my go-to recipes on repeat. It’s cold, refreshing, packed with flavor, and loaded with protein—exactly what I want when I don’t feel like eating heavy meals.

This is the kind of meal prep that makes your week easier. Just grab a container from the fridge and enjoy it however you want—on crackers, in a sandwich, or straight out of the bowl (no judgment 😅).

And the best part? It tastes even better after it sits for a day and all those flavors come together.

Dill chicken salad with completed recipe in a meal prep bowl without lid in front of 4 meal prep bowls stacked up behind it.

How It Fits Your Macros

Per serving (1 bowl):

218 calories | 29g protein | 3.3g carbs | 9.6g fat | 0.3g fiber

This is one of those recipes that makes hitting your protein goal EASY without feeling like you’re “dieting.”

How to Log It

Search “Stay Fit Mom Dill Pickle Chicken Salad” in MyFitnessPal or MacrosFirst for easy tracking.

Dill chicken salad showing small bowls labeled with ingredients: cooked chicken breast, cottage cheese, dill, green onions pickles, mustard, mayo, celery, and hard boiled eggs.

Ingredients

  • Shredded chicken
  • Hard boiled eggs
  • Light mayonnaise
  • Low fat cottage cheese
  • Celery
  • Dill pickles
  • Green onions
  • Fresh dill
  • Dijon mustard
  • Pickle juice
  • Salt & pepper

Recipe Tip

Let your chicken cool completely before mixing—this keeps the texture creamy and prevents the dressing from getting watery.

How to Make Dill Pickle Chicken Salad

  1. Add chicken breasts to the Instant Pot with ½ cup water.
  2. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes. Quick or natural release.
  3. Let chicken cool completely, then shred or dice.
  4. Add all ingredients to a medium mixing bowl.
  5. Mix until well combined.
  6. Divide evenly into 5 containers (about 228g each).
  7. Store in the fridge and enjoy cold!
Small mixing bowl with ingredients for dill chicken salad layered in and ready to be stirred together.

Substitutions

  • Chicken: Use rotisserie chicken to save time
  • Cottage cheese: Swap for Greek yogurt for a tangier flavor
  • Light mayo: Use full fat mayo if preferred
  • Fresh dill: Sub 1 teaspoon dried dill if needed
  • Pickles: Try relish in a pinch

Variations

  • Add grapes or apples for a sweet crunch
  • Mix in chopped almonds or pecans for texture
  • Add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness
  • Spice it up with a little cayenne or hot sauce
Completed recipe mixed in a glass bowl.

Ways to Serve

This is where this recipe really shines—switch it up all week:

  • On crackers for a quick snack
  • Over rice cakes for a crunchy option
  • In a pita or wrap
  • On toasted sourdough (so good)
  • Over a bed of greens for a light lunch
  • Straight from the container (we’ve all been there)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • High protein & macro-friendly – 29g protein per serving
  • Cold + refreshing – perfect for spring and summer
  • Easy meal prep – make once, enjoy all week
  • Versatile – eat it multiple ways so you don’t get bored
  • Simple ingredients – nothing complicated here
Image of Krista standing behind 5 bowls of Dill Chicken Salad stacked up and ready for the week.

Meal Prep & Storage Tips

  • Store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days
  • This recipe actually tastes better the next day
  • Give it a quick stir before serving if any liquid settles

FAQ

Can I freeze this?

No—this one is best enjoyed fresh due to the creamy base.

Can I use canned chicken?

Yes! Just drain well and mix.

Is this good for meal prep?

100%. This is one of the easiest high-protein meal prep recipes you can make.

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Dill Pickle Chicken Salad (High Protein Meal Prep)

A creamy, high-protein dill pickle chicken salad made with shredded chicken, cottage cheese, and crunchy pickles. This easy meal prep recipe is perfect for spring and summer lunches and is packed with flavor while staying macro-friendly.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Servings: 5 bowls (228g)
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Ingredients 

  • 18 oz. boneless skinless chicken breast, or 14 oz. cooked
  • 3 hard boiled eggs, diced
  • 5 tablespoons light mayonnaise, 75g
  • 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese, 110g
  • 1/2 cup celery, diced (100g)
  • 1 cup dill pickles, diced (150g)
  • 4 green onions, diced (35g)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon pickle juice
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Place chicken breasts in the Instant Pot with 1/2 cup of water. Set to manual pressure high for 10 minutes. Quick or natural release when finished.
  • Let cool completely and dice up to desired size.
  • Place all ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl. Combine well. Divide evenly into 5 containers (228g each). Keep refrigerated.
  • Enjoy cold with crackers, on a rice cake, pita, or with bread as a sandwich.

Notes

  • Let your chicken cool completely before mixing—this keeps the texture creamy and prevents the dressing from getting watery.
  • Find in MyFitnessPal or the MacrosFirst app by searching for, “Stay Fit Mom Dill Chicken Salad

Nutrition

Serving: 5bowls (228g), Calories: 218kcal, Carbohydrates: 3.3g, Protein: 29g, Fat: 9.6g, Fiber: 0.3g
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