Buffalo Chicken Cottage Cheese Bowl

As seen in: High-Protein & Low-Carb Meals: Energy-Boosting Recipes for Active Lifestyles

Enjoy a vibrant bowl featuring tender buffalo-style chicken with low-fat cottage cheese, surrounded by crisp vegetables like cucumber, celery, and carrot. Green onions add zest, while optional extras like extra buffalo sauce or avocado allow for personalization. Layer each ingredient to highlight color and texture, creating a balanced mix of heat, creaminess, and crunch. Perfect for meal prep or a quick, nutritious lunch.

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Refreshed on Sat, 05 Jul 2025 16:53:31 GMT
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A bowl of food with chicken and rice. | iamcooker.com

Buffalo Chicken Cottage Cheese Bowls have become my answer to busy weeknights and protein packed lunches. Cool cottage cheese, crunchy veggies, and spiced buffalo chicken combine for a bold twist on snack platters or salads. If you love flavor and crave something quick with minimal cleanup, this bowl is for you.

The first time I made this, I used up every container of leftovers in my fridge. It became an instant favorite for its balance of spice and crisp veggies—a satisfying lunch that does not wilt in a lunchbox.

Ingredients

  • Cooked shredded chicken: Brings in lean protein and soaks up all the buffalo flavor. Look for freshly roasted or rotisserie chicken for the best texture and taste
  • Buffalo sauce: Delivers the signature heat and tang. Choose one with clean ingredients or homemade if you love control over spice levels
  • Low fat cottage cheese: Cools the buffalo heat while amping up protein. Pick a brand with small curds for creaminess
  • Diced cucumber: Adds crunch and juiciness. Firm cucumbers hold up best and stay fresh for meal prep
  • Celery sticks: Bring classic buffalo wing vibes and satisfying crunch. Choose thick stalks with crisp texture
  • Matchstick carrots: Offer light sweetness and color. Pre cut bags save time but fresh carrots give better texture
  • Chopped green onions: Add a burst of flavor and color. Go for ones with bright green tops and no wilting
  • Optional extras: Avocado slices or ranch dressing let you tailor the bowl. Creamy dressing smooths the heat while a squeeze of lime brightens all the flavors

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Chicken:
Shred fully cooked chicken with two forks or your hands for bite size pieces. In a medium bowl, toss with buffalo sauce until all chicken is evenly coated. Let it rest for two minutes to absorb flavor
Prep the Veggies:
Rinse cucumber carrots and celery under cold water. Pat dry thoroughly to prevent excess moisture in the bowl. Dice cucumber into bite size cubes. Slice celery into matchsticks or small sticks. Julienne carrots if using whole carrots for better texture
Assemble the Bowl:
Choose a wide serving bowl for best presentation and easy mixing. Scoop cottage cheese onto one side. Arrange buffalo chicken in a separate section. Place diced cucumber celery sticks and matchstick carrots in the remaining areas for a colorful pattern
Garnish and Customize:
Sprinkle chopped green onions on top. If desired, drizzle extra buffalo sauce over the chicken for more heat. Add black pepper to cottage cheese or veggies for extra bite. Tuck in avocado slices or give a squeeze of lemon or lime for freshness.
Serve or Store:
Eat right away for best crunch or keep components separate in meal prep containers for up to three days. Assemble just before eating for the freshest dish
A bowl of food with chicken and vegetables. Save it
A bowl of food with chicken and vegetables. | iamcooker.com

The green onions always get the most attention at our table I love how they tie together the tangy buffalo flavor and crunch of the veggies. This recipe became our summer picnic go to because it travels well and never feels heavy or greasy.

Storage Tips

Keep each ingredient in its own airtight container for best freshness. The cottage cheese can hold for about four days in the refrigerator which is nearly the same as cooked chicken. Vegetables stay crisp when wrapped in paper towels before sealing. When ready to eat just assemble your bowl and add garnishes.

Ingredient Substitutions

Swap out chicken for cooked turkey or tofu for a different protein base. Use Greek yogurt if cottage cheese is not your style or try a mix of the two for creaminess and boost in protein. Any sturdy veggie like bell pepper or radish works well if you want to add variety.

Serving Suggestions

These bowls shine as a complete lunch but also make a fast dinner when paired with a baked potato or crusty bread. Sometimes I break up gluten free crackers on top for extra crunch or serve with a wedge of lemon to brighten everything up.

Cultural Context

Buffalo sauce hails from Buffalo New York where cooks first combined hot sauce and butter for wings. This recipe swaps fried chicken for a lighter shredded version and creamy cottage cheese stands in for the blue cheese dip in traditional wing baskets. It is an everyday way to enjoy those classic flavors without the fuss.

A bowl of food with chicken and vegetables. Save it
A bowl of food with chicken and vegetables. | iamcooker.com

Your next protein packed meal prep will be full of bold flavors and freshness with this easy recipe ready anytime you crave classic buffalo taste.

Common Questions

→ Can I use rotisserie chicken for the bowl?

Yes, rotisserie chicken works well. Shred and toss it with buffalo sauce for extra flavor.

→ What sauce substitutes can be used for buffalo sauce?

Try sriracha, hot honey, or chipotle sauce for different heat levels and flavors.

→ Is this dish good for meal prep?

Absolutely. Store chicken, vegetables, and cottage cheese separately; assemble just before eating.

→ How can I make it vegetarian?

Replace chicken with roasted chickpeas or cauliflower tossed in buffalo sauce.

→ Which dressings pair best with this bowl?

Ranch or blue cheese dressing brings creaminess and complements the buffalo flavor balance.

Buffalo Chicken Cottage Cheese Bowl

Buffalo-sauced chicken, cottage cheese, and crisp veggies unite in a fresh, protein-packed bowl.

Preparation
15 Mins
Cooking Duration
~
Complete Duration
15 Mins
By: sofia


Complexity: Simple

Origin: American

Output: 2 Portions (Serves 2 bowls)

Diet Types: No Gluten

What You'll Need

→ Main Components

01 240 g cooked shredded chicken
02 30 ml buffalo sauce
03 120 g low-fat cottage cheese
04 65 g diced cucumber
05 50 g celery sticks
06 50 g matchstick carrots
07 10 g chopped green onions

→ Optional Garnishes

08 Additional buffalo sauce to taste
09 Freshly ground black pepper
10 Avocado slices
11 Ranch or blue cheese dressing
12 Fresh lemon or lime juice

Preparation Steps

01 Step

In a medium mixing bowl, combine cooked shredded chicken with buffalo sauce until evenly coated.

02 Step

Wash and dry cucumber, celery, and carrots. Dice cucumber, slice celery into sticks, and cut carrots into thin matchsticks.

03 Step

Arrange buffalo chicken, cottage cheese, diced cucumber, celery sticks, and matchstick carrots in sections within a serving bowl.

04 Step

Sprinkle chopped green onions on top. If desired, drizzle extra buffalo sauce and season with black pepper.

05 Step

Serve immediately, or keep ingredients refrigerated in separate containers for convenient meal preparation.

Additional Tips

  1. For extra creaminess, add avocado slices or a drizzle of dressing. Store components separately to maintain freshness.

Required Equipment

  • Medium mixing bowl
  • Sharp knife
  • Cutting board
  • Serving bowl

Allergen Notice

Review ingredients for possible allergens and seek professional medical advice if uncertain.
  • Contains dairy (cottage cheese)
  • Contains potential allergens from dressing if used (milk, egg)

Nutritional Information (Each Portion)

Consider these values as estimates rather than definitive health guidance.
  • Energy: 230
  • Fat Content: 7.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 9.2 g
  • Protein Content: 32.4 g