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Tzatziki Chicken Salad Recipe

4.4 from 148 reviews

This Tzatziki Chicken Salad is a vibrant, creamy blend of shredded chicken, tangy Greek yogurt, fresh cucumbers, lemon juice, and Mediterranean flavors. Featuring feta, kalamata olives, fresh dill, and parsley, it’s a refreshing, healthy, and easy-to-make salad perfect for light lunches or as a flavorful side dish. With its bright, herbaceous tzatziki base and hearty chicken, it offers a delightful balance of textures and tastes.

Ingredients

Scale

Tzatziki Base

  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup shredded cucumber, excess liquid squeezed out
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice, plus extra to taste
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, adjust to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Salad Mix-ins

  • 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie or leftover chicken 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

  1. Prepare the Tzatziki Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, shredded cucumber (after squeezing out excess liquid), lemon juice, chopped dill, garlic powder, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir everything together until well blended, tasting and adjusting lemon juice and seasoning as desired to achieve a fresh, tangy, and balanced flavor.
  2. Add the Chicken and Mix-Ins: Add the shredded chicken, chopped red onion, kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped parsley to the tzatziki base. Gently fold all ingredients together, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated and the salad appears colorful with cheese, olives, and herbs throughout.
  3. Taste and Adjust: Give the salad a final taste test and adjust lemon juice, salt, or pepper as needed for your preferred balance. Add more feta for creaminess or extra lemon for additional brightness if desired.
  4. Chill (Optional): For best flavor development, cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully, though the salad is delightful served immediately if pressed for time.

Notes

  • Be sure to squeeze out excess moisture from the cucumber to avoid a watery salad.
  • Use good quality Greek yogurt and feta cheese for the best flavor and texture.
  • Fresh garlic can be used instead of garlic powder for a stronger garlic flavor.
  • This salad can be made a few hours ahead and kept refrigerated to deepen the flavors.
  • Serve on a bed of greens, with pita bread, or stuffed into pita pockets for a complete meal.

Keywords: Tzatziki Chicken Salad, Greek yogurt chicken salad, Mediterranean chicken salad, healthy chicken salad, tzatziki dressing recipe, feta chicken salad