Best Chicken Salad Cucumber Roll Ups Recipe
Introduction
These chicken salad cucumber roll ups are a fresh and light lunch option perfect for busy days. Crisp cucumber slices wrapped around a creamy chicken salad make for a satisfying, low-carb meal that’s easy to prepare ahead. They work wonderfully for lunch at home, work, or school, offering great flavor and texture without the heaviness of bread.

Ingredients
- 1 lb cooked shredded chicken
- 1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
- 2 cups water (for soaking onion)
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 5 tbsp cottage cheese (small curd)
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 3 fl oz lime juice (from about 2-3 limes)
- 1 avocado, mashed
- 1 tbsp salt (divided)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 large English cucumber, sliced lengthwise into thin strips
- 2 tbsp whipped cream cheese
- 1 tbsp everything bagel seasoning
- 1 tbsp chipotle hot sauce
Instructions
- Step 1: Finely dice half a red onion and soak it in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes to mellow the flavor. Drain thoroughly afterward. Shred or finely dice 1 lb of cooked chicken.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, drained onion, and 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro. Add the mashed avocado and gently toss to mix.
- Step 3: Blend 5 tablespoons cottage cheese, 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon onion powder, the juice of 2-3 limes, a pinch of salt, and black pepper until smooth. Pour this dressing over the chicken mixture and stir to coat evenly.
- Step 4: Using a peeler or mandoline, slice the cucumber lengthwise into thin strips about 1/8 inch thick. Lay the slices on parchment paper with slight overlap and pat dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Step 5: Spread 2 tablespoons whipped cream cheese evenly over the cucumber slices. Spoon about 4 ounces of the chicken salad mixture along the bottom edge of the cucumber sheet, leaving space on all sides. Add extra avocado or onion slices if desired.
- Step 6: Carefully roll the cucumber from the bottom tightly over the filling. Apply gentle pressure to secure the roll. Slice into bite-size pieces and sprinkle with everything bagel seasoning. Drizzle with chipotle hot sauce before serving.
Tips & Variations
- Use English cucumbers for thinner skin and fewer seeds; Persian cucumbers work if English are unavailable.
- Swap cottage cheese with Greek yogurt or ricotta for a different creamy texture.
- Try canned or rotisserie chicken as time-saving alternatives.
- Replace mayonnaise with mashed avocado or extra cottage cheese for a mayo-free option.
- Drain cottage cheese in a fine-mesh strainer for 30 minutes to reduce excess moisture in the filling.
- Chill the chicken salad before assembling to help the filling hold its shape and improve rolling ease.
Storage
Store assembled roll ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consume within 24 hours to maintain freshness and crispness. Place on paper towels to absorb moisture and prevent sogginess. For meal prep, keep the chicken salad separate from cucumber slices and assemble just before eating. Chicken salad can be refrigerated for up to 2 days. Reheat is not recommended; serve cool or at room temperature.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use regular cucumbers instead of English cucumbers?
Yes, but regular cucumbers have thicker skin and more seeds, which can make the roll ups soggier. If using regular cucumbers, remove the seeds with a spoon and slice thinly for best results.
How do I keep the cucumber roll ups from falling apart?
Pat the cucumber slices dry before assembling and make sure the filling is not too wet by draining the cottage cheese and soaking the onion. Chilling the chicken salad mixture before rolling helps it hold together better.
Print
Best Chicken Salad Cucumber Roll Ups Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 8 roll-ups (serves 4 as a light meal or appetizer) 1x
- Diet: Low Carb
Description
These Best Chicken Salad Cucumber Roll Ups are a fresh, healthy, and low-carb lunch or appetizer option featuring a creamy, high-protein chicken salad wrapped in crisp English cucumber slices. Perfect for meal prep, packed lunches, or light meals, these roll ups combine tender shredded chicken, creamy cottage cheese, avocado, and zesty lime dressing, all wrapped in refreshing cucumber for a crunchy texture and vibrant flavor.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Salad:
- 2 cups water
- 1 lb shredded cooked chicken (from about 4 chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken)
- 1/2 medium red onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 5 tbsp small curd cottage cheese
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 3 fl oz lime juice (from about 2–3 limes)
- 3 tbsp mayonnaise (Hellmann’s preferred)
- 1 avocado, mashed
For the Roll-ups and Topping:
- 1 tbsp everything bagel seasoning
- 2 tbsp whipped cream cheese
- 1 tbsp chipotle hot sauce
- 1 large English cucumber, sliced lengthwise into thin strips
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken and Onion: Begin by shredding 1 lb of cooked chicken using two forks or finely dicing. Finely dice 1/2 a red onion, then soak it in 2 cups of water for 10 minutes to mellow the flavor. Drain the onion well after soaking.
- Mix the Salad Components: Combine the shredded chicken and drained red onion in a large bowl. Add chopped fresh cilantro and the cubed avocado, gently tossing to mix.
- Make the Dressing: In a blender or bowl, blend 5 tablespoons of cottage cheese, 3 tablespoons mayonnaise, 1 tablespoon onion powder, the juice of 3 limes, cilantro, salt, and pepper until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and stir to coat evenly.
- Prepare the Cucumber Wrap: Using a peeler or mandoline, thinly slice one large English cucumber lengthwise into strips approximately 1/8 inch thick. Lay the slices out on parchment paper with about one-third overlap. Pat dry with paper towels to remove extra moisture.
- Assemble the Cucumber Roll: Spread 2 tablespoons of whipped cream cheese evenly over the cucumber slices. Add 4 ounces of the chicken salad mixture to the bottom edge of the cucumber strips, leaving space on sides. Optionally, add extra onion and avocado slices on top.
- Roll and Serve: Carefully roll up the cucumber slices from the bottom, folding over the filling tightly with gentle pressure to hold the shape. Slice into pieces with a sharp knife. Top with everything bagel seasoning and drizzle with chipotle hot sauce. Serve as a refreshing appetizer or light meal.
Notes
- Use English cucumbers for best results as they have thin skin and fewer seeds. Persian cucumber is an alternative but adjust quantity and seed removal accordingly.
- Pat the shredded chicken dry with paper towels to reduce moisture and prevent sogginess.
- Drain cottage cheese for 30 minutes before use to avoid a watery filling.
- Avoid cutting cucumber slices too thin (about 1/8 inch is ideal) to prevent breaking during rolling.
- Chill the chicken salad mixture for at least 30 minutes before assembling to help filling firm up and ease rolling.
- Store assembled roll ups in an airtight container lined with paper towels and consume within 24 hours to maintain crispness.
- For packed lunches, keep cucumber and chicken salad separate and assemble just before eating to prevent sogginess.
- Customize with substitutions like mashed chickpeas for vegetarian option or Greek yogurt for cottage cheese.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Chicken salad cucumber roll ups, low carb lunch, healthy chicken salad, cucumber wraps, make-ahead lunch, creamy chicken roll ups, refreshing appetizers

