Description
Greek-inspired tzatziki chicken salad brings Mediterranean magic to your plate, combining crisp greens with tender grilled chicken and creamy yogurt dressing. Fresh herbs and zesty lemon elevate this light yet satisfying meal that you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Proteins:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie or grilled works great)
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Fresh Vegetables and Herbs:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill or parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and squeezed to remove excess liquid
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill or mint, finely chopped
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Craft the tzatziki sauce by blending creamy Greek yogurt with freshly grated cucumber, releasing excess moisture to maintain a thick consistency.
- Mince garlic cloves and aromatic herbs, incorporating them into the yogurt mixture along with a zesty splash of lemon juice and smooth olive oil.
- Whisk the dressing thoroughly, seasoning with salt and pepper to enhance the flavor profile, then chill in the refrigerator to allow ingredients to harmonize.
- Shred or dice cooked chicken into uniform pieces, ensuring tender and succulent texture for the salad base.
- Slice cherry tomatoes into halves, creating vibrant bursts of color and juicy elements throughout the dish.
- Dice cucumber and red onion into precise, bite-sized pieces to provide crisp textural contrast and fresh Mediterranean essence.
- Scatter Kalamata olives and crumble tangy feta cheese across the chicken and vegetable mixture.
- Drizzle the chilled tzatziki dressing over the salad, gently folding ingredients to ensure even coating without crushing delicate components.
- Sprinkle additional fresh herbs like dill or parsley for a final aromatic touch and visual appeal.
- Refrigerate the salad for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and intensify, serving chilled as a standalone dish or nestled in warm pita bread.
Notes
- Squeeze excess moisture from grated cucumber to prevent watery tzatziki, ensuring a thick and creamy dressing consistency.
- Choose Greek yogurt with high protein content for a richer, more authentic tzatziki texture that clings beautifully to salad ingredients.
- Customize protein options by substituting chicken with grilled tofu, chickpeas, or shredded rotisserie chicken for varied dietary preferences.
- Enhance flavor complexity by marinating chicken in Mediterranean herbs like oregano and thyme before cooking, adding depth to the overall dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg