Tzatziki Chicken Salad Recipe

Introduction

Tzatziki Chicken Salad is a fresh and flavorful twist on classic chicken salad, featuring creamy Greek yogurt and crisp cucumbers. This easy-to-make salad combines herbs and tangy lemon juice for a light yet satisfying meal perfect for lunches or light dinners.

A close-up of a white bowl filled with creamy chicken salad mixed with finely chopped green celery, small red onion pieces, and fresh green herbs, all coated in a white dressing; three triangular pieces of golden-brown pita chips are placed on the right edge of the bowl, while more pita chips are scattered around the bowl on a white marbled surface, with a sprig of green parsley in the upper right corner; a silver spoon with a wooden handle rests inside the bowl on the right side. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup grated English cucumber, excess moisture squeezed out
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and grated
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
  • 1 cup diced cucumber
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, grated garlic, chopped dill, chopped parsley, sea salt, and black pepper. Stir until everything is well mixed.
  2. Step 2: Add the cooked chicken, diced cucumber, celery, diced red onion, and crumbled feta cheese to the bowl. Gently stir until all ingredients are evenly combined. Taste and adjust lemon juice, salt, or pepper as needed.
  3. Step 3: Serve the tzatziki chicken salad over greens, inside pita pockets, in lettuce cups, or as a sandwich or wrap filling. Optionally, top with chopped tomatoes, kalamata olives, extra feta, and fresh herbs for added flavor.

Tips & Variations

  • Use store-bought tzatziki in a pinch, but choose a thick, flavorful variety for best results.
  • Substitute lime juice for lemon juice if preferred, or if lemon is unavailable.
  • Add chopped kalamata olives or tomatoes to enhance the Mediterranean flavors.
  • Serve with pita chips, fresh veggies, or over a bed of greens for a complete meal.

Storage

Store tzatziki chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. The flavors develop more over time, but be sure to stir well before serving to recombine any separated liquid. Freezing is not recommended as the yogurt base may separate and become watery upon thawing.

How to Serve

A large white bowl filled with a creamy chicken salad that has several layers of color and texture mixed together. The main layer is pale pinkish-beige cooked chicken pieces, scattered throughout the salad. Mixed in are small, bright green celery chunks and finely chopped dark green herbs creating a fresh, leafy texture. There are bits of purple-red onion adding small bursts of color. The creamy layer coats the salad lightly, giving it a moist and smooth appearance. Two light gray spoons rest inside the bowl, one partially covered by the salad, all placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought tzatziki?

Yes! Store-bought tzatziki can save time. Just make sure it is thick and flavorful to maintain the salad’s texture and taste.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this tzatziki chicken salad is naturally gluten-free. Just serve it with gluten-free bread, crackers, or greens if you need to avoid gluten.

Print

Tzatziki Chicken Salad Recipe

This Tzatziki Chicken Salad is a refreshing and flavorful Greek-inspired dish combining tender cooked chicken with a creamy tzatziki-style dressing made from Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, fresh herbs, and lemon juice. It’s perfect as a light lunch served over greens, in pita pockets, lettuce cups, or as a sandwich filling. The salad is complemented with crunchy celery, red onion, and tangy feta cheese, making it a satisfying and healthy meal option.

  • Author: Hannah
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: Greek
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Ingredients

Scale

For the Tzatziki Dressing

  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup grated English cucumber, excess moisture squeezed out
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled and grated
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

For the Salad

  • 4 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
  • 1 cup diced cucumber
  • 1/2 cup diced celery
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Tzatziki Dressing: In a medium bowl, combine the plain Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (with excess moisture squeezed out), fresh lemon juice, grated garlic cloves, chopped fresh dill, chopped fresh parsley, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir all the ingredients together until the mixture is well combined and creamy, forming a classic tzatziki-style dressing.
  2. Mix the Salad: Add the chopped or shredded cooked chicken, diced cucumber, diced celery, diced red onion, and crumbled feta cheese to the dressing bowl. Stir gently but thoroughly until all components are evenly coated with the dressing and well incorporated. Taste the salad and adjust seasoning by adding extra lemon juice, salt, or pepper if desired.
  3. Serve: Serve the tzatziki chicken salad in a variety of ways—over a bed of fresh greens, inside pita pockets, wrapped in lettuce cups, or simply as a sandwich or wrap filling. For added flavor and texture, feel free to top the salad with chopped tomatoes, kalamata olives, extra feta cheese, or additional fresh herbs according to your preference.

Notes

  • Store your tzatziki chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best eaten within 3 to 4 days.
  • The flavors develop more over time, but be sure to stir before each serving to mix in any separated liquid.
  • Freezing is not recommended as the yogurt base may separate and become watery when thawed.
  • You can use store-bought tzatziki if short on time, just ensure it’s thick and flavorful.
  • This salad is naturally gluten-free; just pair with gluten-free bread or crackers if needed.
  • The salad tastes better after resting for a few hours in the fridge to let the flavors meld.

Keywords: chicken, cucumber, tzatziki, Greek salad, healthy chicken salad, yogurt dressing

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