Description
Creamy Greek tzatziki chicken salad blends Mediterranean flavors into a refreshing culinary adventure. Cool cucumber, tangy yogurt, and tender chicken create a light yet satisfying meal perfect for summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 cups chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Vegetables and Fruits:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and squeezed
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Dressing and Seasonings:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill or parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill or mint, finely chopped
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Craft a vibrant tzatziki sauce by blending creamy Greek yogurt with freshly grated cucumber, aromatic minced garlic, zesty lemon juice, rich olive oil, and fragrant herbs. Season with salt and pepper, then chill in refrigerator for flavor development.
- Shred or dice tender cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces, ensuring uniform texture for optimal eating experience.
- Prepare crisp accompaniments by chopping plump cherry tomatoes, refreshing cucumber, pungent red onion, and tangy Kalamata olives into consistent, bite-friendly dimensions.
- Crumble briny feta cheese into delicate fragments, creating textural contrast within the salad mixture.
- Combine chicken, chopped vegetables, and cheese in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a harmonious Mediterranean-inspired medley.
- Drizzle chilled tzatziki dressing over salad ingredients, gently folding to ensure even coating and comprehensive flavor integration.
- Allow salad to rest in refrigerator for 15-20 minutes, enabling ingredients to marinate and flavors to harmonize thoroughly.
- Serve thoroughly chilled, optionally presenting atop crisp greens or nestled within warm pita bread for versatile dining options.
Notes
- Pat cucumber dry after grating to prevent watery tzatziki, ensuring a thick and creamy dressing consistency.
- Use rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken for quick meal preparation and added flavor depth.
- Choose full-fat Greek yogurt for richer, more authentic tzatziki sauce with better texture and taste.
- Customize protein options by substituting chicken with grilled shrimp, tofu, or chickpeas for vegetarian and diverse dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 176 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5.2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1.4 g
- Protein: 21 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg