High Protein Pesto Chicken Cottage Cheese Bowl

October 2, 2024

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This high-protein pesto chicken cottage cheese bowl, made with rotisserie chicken, is a quick, creamy, and flavorful meal done in minutes.

Pesto cottage cheese bowl topped with melted mozzarella.

If you’re a fan of cottage cheese bowls, then this high-protein pesto chicken cottage cheese bowl may become your new favorite! It’s creamy, savory, and oh-so-satisfying — an ideal meal for when you’re looking for something quick, filling, flavorful and comforting.

Made with simple ingredients like rotisserie chicken, basil, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan, and cottage cheese, this dish comes together in just minutes. And since it uses the microwave for heating, it’s done in minutes.

Plus, it’s packed with protein, making it an excellent option to keep you fueled and satisfied throughout the day. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch or need a post-workout meal, this bowl checks the boxes.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick & easy: Using rotisserie chicken cuts down on prep time, and you may use a store-bought pesto if you’re in a rush.
High in protein: Cottage cheese and chicken provide a high percentage of protein to help keep you full.
Comforting & flavorful: Savory pesto is combined with rotisserie chicken and creamy cottage cheese, creating a warm and comforting meal.

Key Ingredients

Pesto ingredients: While you can use store-bought pesto, we highly recommend combining the pesto ingredients yourself since it’s easy and produces a much tastier and higher-quality pesto. You simply need fresh basil, olive oil, grated parmesan, a garlic clove and pine nuts (or another nut of choice).

Low-fat cottage cheese: We use a low-fat cottage cheese (2% milkfat) in this bowl to keep the protein percentage high. That said, you could also use a full-fat cottage cheese since it only slightly reduces the protein percentage. Whatever you have on hand.

Rotisserie chicken: To keep this bowl quick and easy, we simply use store-bought rotisserie chicken, which we shred into small chunks. We recommend buying a rotisserie chicken that is organic, free-range, and free of hormone.

Shredded mozzarella: We top the bowl with shredded mozzarella for a yummy, gooey topping that complements the flavor of the pesto.

Fresh lemon juice (optional): Since the dish is rich and savory, we recommend adding a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten it up.

Diced bell pepper (optional): Bell pepper adds a crunchy texture and a little sweetness to the bowl. You could swap with another veggie like chopped spinach, chopped tomato or even broccoli.

How to Make

STEP 1: In a food processor, combine the fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, 2 tablespoons grated parmesan, olive oil and low-fat cottage cheese. Pulse until smooth and thoroughly combined. Add a squeeze or teaspoon of lemon juice (optional). Season with salt and pepper to taste.

STEP 2: In a microwave-safe bowl topped with a microwave-safe plate, heat diced bell pepper for 1 minute (optional).

Pesto cottage cheese mixture pulsed to smooth consistency in a bowl

STEP 3: When done, combine cottage cheese pesto, diced bell pepper and shredded rotisserie chicken and stir until well combined. Place bowl in microwave and heat for 1 minute. Remove and stir.

STEP 4: Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella and remaining grated parmesan (½ tablespoon) over the top. Heat for another minute or so until cheese is melted (or almost melted) and mixture is thoroughly heated. Serve immediately.

Pesto cottage cheese combined with bell pepper and rotisserie chicken

Bowl topped with fresh mozzarella and grated parmesan, ready to microwave.

Finished pesto chicken cottage cheese bowl topped with melted mozzarella.

Recipe Prep Options

Shortcut: Use 2 to 3 tablespoons of good-quality store-bought pesto if you’re short on time.
Other veggies: You could swap bell pepper with chopped spinach, broccoli or grape tomatoes.
Meal prep: This bowl can easily be prepped ahead of time for a grab-and-go meal during the week. Just reheat and enjoy!

WHAT IS CONSIDERED HIGH IN PROTEIN?

We love high-protein meals, snacks and desserts since they help keep you full for longer periods of time. Therefore, you’re less likely to overeat.

Wikipedia defines a high-protein diet as more than 20% of calories from protein while Diet Doctor uses 25% to 35% of calories. For more information about a high-protein diet, check out Diet Doctor.

More Cottage Cheese Recipes

If you try this recipe, we would love to hear your feedback! Leave a comment, rate it, and tag @lowcarbsimplified on your photo of this recipe on Instagram or Facebook. We hope you enjoy this recipe as much as we do!

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