This Tzatziki Chicken Salad combines creamy Greek yogurt with shredded cucumber, fresh herbs, and savory ingredients like feta and Kalamata olives to create a vibrant, refreshing, and flavorful salad perfect for a light lunch or dinner.
Total Time:15 minutes
Yield:4 servings
Ingredients
Tzatziki Base
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup shredded cucumber, excess liquid squeezed out
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Salad Mix-Ins
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped Kalamata olives
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley
Instructions
Prepare the Tzatziki Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, shredded cucumber with excess liquid squeezed out, lemon juice, chopped dill, garlic powder, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir together until mixture is smooth and evenly blended. Taste and adjust seasoning or lemon juice as needed.
Add the Chicken and Mix-Ins: Add shredded chicken, chopped red onion, Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped parsley to the tzatziki base. Gently stir everything together until all ingredients are well coated and distributed evenly.
Taste and Adjust: Sample the salad and add extra lemon juice, salt, pepper, or additional crumbled feta to achieve your preferred balance of flavors and creaminess.
Chill (Optional): Cover the salad and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and develop further. The salad can also be served immediately if desired.
Notes
Be sure to squeeze out excess liquid from shredded cucumber to keep the salad creamy and prevent it from becoming watery.
Use freshly cooked or rotisserie chicken for best texture; leftover chicken works great as well for convenience.
Substitute fresh grated garlic for garlic powder if you want a stronger garlic flavor.
The salad can be served as a light main dish or a hearty side dish with pita bread or fresh vegetables.
For a dairy-free variation, replace Greek yogurt and feta with dairy-free alternatives, though the flavor profile will slightly change.
