Description
This Tzatziki Chicken Salad combines creamy Greek yogurt-based tzatziki sauce with tender shredded chicken, crunchy cucumber, tangy feta, and savory olives. It is a fresh, vibrant salad bursting with Mediterranean flavors, perfect for a light lunch or as a flavorful side dish. The salad is easy to make, healthy, and can be enjoyed immediately or chilled to enhance the flavors.
Ingredients
Tzatziki Base
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup shredded cucumber, excess liquid squeezed out
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Chicken Salad Mix
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or leftover works well)
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped Kalamata olives
- 1/3 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 most of the liquid squeezed out, lemon juice, chopped fresh dill, garlic powder, kosher salt, and pepper. Stir everything together until well combined. Taste and adjust the lemon juice or seasoning as desired to create a tangy, flavorful tzatziki sauce.
- Add the Chicken and Mix-Ins: Add shredded cooked chicken, finely chopped red onion, chopped Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped parsley to the tzatziki base. Gently fold all ingredients together until the chicken is evenly coated and the mix-ins are well dispersed, giving the salad a colorful and appetizing appearance.
- Taste and Adjust: Sample the salad and decide if you want to tweak the flavors — add extra lemon juice for more brightness, a pinch of salt, or additional pepper. You can also add more feta if you prefer it creamier.
- Chill (Optional): For best flavor, cover the salad and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld beautifully. However, this salad tastes wonderful right after mixing if you prefer to eat it immediately.
Notes
- Make sure to squeeze out excess liquid from the shredded cucumber to keep the salad creamy rather than watery.
- You can substitute fresh grated garlic for garlic powder if you prefer a stronger garlic flavor.
- Use day-old or leftover rotisserie chicken for convenience and extra tenderness.
- This salad can be served on its own, as a filling for pita bread, or alongside grilled vegetables.
- Chilling the salad enhances the flavor fusion but is not mandatory.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
