Description
These Best Chicken Salad Cucumber Roll-Ups offer a fresh, light, and guilt-free lunch option that’s perfect for warm days or healthy snacking. Combining shredded chicken with a creamy, zesty dressing and wrapped in crisp cucumber slices, this recipe balances protein and refreshing crunch with bold flavors from cilantro, lime, and optional seasonings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Salad
- 1 lb cooked, shredded chicken (using rotisserie chicken saves time)
- 1 small red onion (soaked in water to mellow flavor)
- 1/4 cup cilantro (can substitute with parsley)
- 1 medium avocado (mash just before use to prevent browning)
Creamy Dressing
- 1/2 cup cottage cheese (drained to avoid watery salad)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise (Greek yogurt is a lighter alternative)
- 1 tsp onion powder (can be swapped with fresh onions)
- 1 juiced lime (can substitute with lemon juice)
- Additional cilantro (to taste)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
Roll-Ups and Garnishes
- 2 large English cucumbers (or Persian cucumbers)
- 1/2 cup whipped cream cheese (alternatively, use another spreadable cheese)
- Everything bagel seasoning (to taste, optional)
- Chipotle hot sauce (to taste, optional)
Instructions
- Preparation Steps: Gather and prepare all your ingredients by shredding the cooked chicken, soaking and draining the red onion to mellow its bite, washing and chopping the cilantro, and mashing the avocado shortly before use to prevent browning.
- Mix Chicken Salad Base: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, soaked red onion, chopped cilantro, and mashed avocado. Stir thoroughly to blend the textures and flavors well.
- Prepare Creamy Dressing: In a separate bowl, blend together the drained cottage cheese, mayonnaise, onion powder, lime juice, and extra cilantro. Season with salt and pepper and mix until smooth. Gently fold this dressing into the chicken mixture to coat it evenly without breaking up the chicken pieces.
- Slice Cucumbers Thinly: Using a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife, carefully slice the cucumbers into thin rounds about 1/8 inch thick. Pat the cucumber slices dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture for easier rolling.
- Assemble Roll-Ups: Spread approximately 2 tablespoons of whipped cream cheese evenly on each cucumber slice. Place a spoonful of the chicken salad near the base of each cucumber slice. Roll the cucumber tightly from the base upward to create compact roll-ups.
- Serve and Garnish: Cut each cucumber roll-up into bite-size pieces to serve as finger food. Optionally, sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning and add a dash of chipotle hot sauce for an extra flavor kick.
Notes
- Soaking the red onion in water helps reduce its sharpness for a milder flavor.
- Draining the cottage cheese well prevents the chicken salad from becoming watery.
- Mash the avocado just before mixing to avoid browning and keep it fresh and green.
- Using a mandoline slicer ensures even, thin cucumber slices for easier rolling.
- Everything bagel seasoning and chipotle hot sauce are optional but highly recommended for adding depth and spice.
- Rotisserie chicken saves time but freshly cooked shredded chicken works equally well.
