A Tzatziki Chicken Salad is a light, refreshing, and flavor-packed meal. With the creamy, tangy taste of tzatziki dressing, it adds a Mediterranean twist to a classic chicken salad. Here’s a simple and delicious recipe:
Tzatziki Chicken Salad
Ingredients:
For the Chicken Salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or cubed; rotisserie chicken works great)
- 1/2 cucumber, diced (you can peel it for a smoother texture or leave the skin on for extra crunch)
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tbsp dried dill)
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and chopped (optional for added Mediterranean flavor)
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional, for a pop of color and freshness)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Tzatziki Dressing:
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (thick, full-fat yogurt works best)
- 1/4 cup cucumber, grated (squeeze out excess moisture with a paper towel)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried dill)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Directions:
Make the Tzatziki Dressing:
- Combine the dressing ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, fresh dill, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. If you like a thicker dressing, add more yogurt, or if you prefer it thinner, add a little extra olive oil or lemon juice.
- Chill the dressing: For the best flavor, refrigerate the tzatziki dressing for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
Assemble the Chicken Salad:
- Prepare the chicken: If you haven’t already, shred or cube your cooked chicken and place it in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the veggies: Add the diced cucumber, red onion, olives, cherry tomatoes (if using), and fresh dill to the bowl with the chicken.
- Toss with the dressing: Pour the tzatziki dressing over the chicken and vegetables, and gently toss everything together until well coated. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Chill and serve: If you have time, chill the salad in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes before serving to let the flavors combine even more.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve the Tzatziki Chicken Salad on a bed of greens (like spinach, arugula, or mixed greens), in a wrap, or with pita bread for a more Mediterranean-style meal. It’s also great on its own or as a side dish to grilled meats!
Optional Add-ins/Variations:
- Avocado: Add some creamy avocado for extra richness.
- Feta cheese: Crumbled feta can add a nice salty flavor to complement the tzatziki.
- Grilled chicken: For an extra smoky flavor, grill the chicken before adding it to the salad.
- Pine nuts: For a bit of crunch, add toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds.
This Tzatziki Chicken Salad is a light, refreshing, and healthy meal that’s perfect for warm days or as a meal prep option. It’s creamy, tangy, and full of flavor. How would you enjoy it—on its own, in a pita, or perhaps as a wrap?