Zesty Mediterranean Tzatziki Chicken Salad Recipe for Sunny Days

Summers sizzle with flavor when you toss together this vibrant Mediterranean tzatziki chicken salad that bursts with fresh herbs and tangy goodness.

Cool cucumber and creamy yogurt create a delightful harmony in every bite.

Tender grilled chicken mingles with crisp vegetables, offering a light yet satisfying meal.

Zesty dressing coats each ingredient, bringing Mediterranean coastal vibes right to your plate.

Herbs like dill and mint dance through the salad, adding bright, aromatic notes.

This dish promises a quick, nutritious lunch or dinner that transports you to sunny Greek islands with its irresistible combination of textures and tastes.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to savor a culinary journey that celebrates fresh, wholesome flavors.

What You’ll Need for Mediterranean Tzatziki Chicken Salad

• Cucumber: Crisp vegetable adds refreshing crunch and hydration to the salad, choose firm and deep green specimens without soft spots.
• Red Onion: Sharp ingredient brings zesty bite and vibrant color, select onions with tight, papery skin and no bruising.
• Dill: Delicate herb introduces subtle tangy flavor, pick bright green fronds with no wilting or yellowing.
• Lemon: Bright citrus provides acidic brightness and tenderizes chicken, look for heavy fruits with smooth, glossy skin.

• Chicken: Lean protein creates hearty base for salad, choose boneless skinless breast for easiest preparation.
• Greek Yogurt: Creamy base provides tangy richness and binds ingredients together, select full-fat variety for best texture.

• Garlic: Pungent ingredient adds deep savory notes, choose firm bulbs with tight, unbroken skin.
• Salt: Essential mineral enhances overall flavor profile and balances ingredients.
• Black Pepper: Warm spice introduces gentle heat and complexity, freshly ground provides most vibrant taste.

Tools to Prep Tzatziki Chicken Salad at Home

• Box Grater: Perfect for shredding cucumber quickly and evenly.
• Paper Towels: Essential for squeezing out extra moisture from cucumber.
• Mixing Bowl: Spacious enough to combine all ingredients comfortably.
• Cutting Board: Great for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Chef's Knife: Sharp tool for dicing red onion and shredding chicken.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps add precise amounts of salt, lemon juice, and seasonings.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Ideal for tossing and mixing salad ingredients smoothly.

Instructions for Mediterranean Chicken Salad

• Cucumber Prep

Grate cucumber and extract excess water by squeezing through a soft paper towel, ensuring a crisp texture for the salad.

• Creamy Tzatziki Base

Combine tangy Greek yogurt with fresh dill, zesty lemon juice, minced garlic, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to create a vibrant, refreshing sauce.

• Chicken Integration

Fold tender shredded chicken and finely chopped red onion into the yogurt mixture, coating each ingredient with the luscious tzatziki blend.

• Serving Suggestions

Present this Mediterranean-inspired dish atop warm pita bread, crispy crackers, or a bed of crisp lettuce for a light and satisfying meal. Store any remaining salad in the refrigerator for later enjoyment.

Tips for Creamy Tzatziki Flavor

• Swap shredded rotisserie chicken with grilled or poached chicken breasts for a fresher protein option.
• Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese or chopped Kalamata olives into the salad for an authentic Greek taste profile.
• Prepare the tzatziki mixture a day in advance to allow herbs and garlic to develop deeper, more intense flavors.
• Replace pita bread with cucumber rounds or lettuce wraps for a low-carb, celiac-friendly serving suggestion.

How to Serve Tzatziki Chicken Salad

• Pair with Warm Pita Bread: Slice fresh pita bread and warm it in the oven for a soft, pillowy base that complements the cool tzatziki chicken salad perfectly.
• Create a Colorful Platter: Arrange the salad on a large platter with cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives to add vibrant Mediterranean flair and extra texture.
• Pack for Fresh Lunch: Transfer the salad to an airtight container for a delightful work or picnic lunch, keeping the ingredients crisp and flavors bright until mealtime.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped fresh dill or mint on top to enhance the salad's aromatic profile and add a pop of green color to the dish.

Keeping Mediterranean Chicken Salad Fresh

• Refrigerate Quickly: Store the tzatziki chicken salad in an airtight container within 2 hours of preparation to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Enjoy Within Days: Consume the salad within 3-4 days for optimal taste and texture, keeping it chilled in the refrigerator at or below 40°F.
• Smart Separation Strategy: Keep crackers or pita bread separate from the salad to prevent sogginess, adding them just before serving for the best crunch and experience.
• Freezing Not Recommended: Avoid freezing this salad, as yogurt-based dressings and fresh vegetables can separate and lose their creamy consistency when thawed.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time:

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 5

Vibrant Mediterranean Tzatziki Chicken Salad Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Cool Mediterranean tzatziki chicken salad combines fresh ingredients with tangy yogurt dressing. Greek-inspired flavors deliver a refreshing meal you can enjoy quickly and easily.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 rotisserie chicken (cooked, shredded)
• ¾ cup (177 ml/6 fl oz) plain Greek yogurt
• 1 medium cucumber (finely grated)
• ½ red onion (diced)
• 2 tbsps fresh dill (chopped)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp pepper

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Moisture Extraction: Press freshly grated cucumber within a clean kitchen towel, eliminating excess liquid completely to ensure a crisp, non-watery tzatziki base.
2. Dressing Composition: Whisk drained cucumber with Greek yogurt, incorporating finely chopped dill, lemon juice, minced garlic, kosher salt, and black pepper until uniformly blended, creating a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired sauce.
3. Protein Integration: Gently fold shredded chicken and diced red onion into the yogurt mixture, ensuring each ingredient is thoroughly coated with the aromatic, tangy dressing for maximum flavor infusion.
4. Serving Presentation: Elegantly plate the tzatziki chicken salad atop warm pita bread, crisp crackers, or a verdant bed of lettuce leaves, transforming the dish into a light, protein-packed culinary experience.
5. Storage Protocol: Preserve any remaining salad in a sealed container within the refrigerator, maintaining its fresh essence and creamy consistency for 2-3 days.

Notes

• Drain Cucumber Thoroughly: Remove excess moisture completely to prevent watery tzatziki sauce and maintain a rich, creamy consistency.
• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Let the salad rest for 15-30 minutes before serving to allow herbs and garlic to fully develop and blend their aromatic profiles.
• Customize Protein Options: Substitute shredded chicken with grilled tofu, chickpeas, or lamb for diverse dietary preferences and exciting taste variations.
• Storage Smart Tip: Keep onions and salad separate until serving to prevent soggy texture and preserve crisp, fresh ingredients’ integrity.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 460 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg