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This refreshing Tzatziki Chicken Salad combines tender cooked chicken with a creamy homemade tzatziki dressing, making it a perfect option for light lunches or healthy dinners. The cool tangy flavors of cucumber and fresh herbs brighten the dish, while crunchy celery and red onion add texture and punch. It comes together quickly without any cooking required after the chicken is prepared.
I first made this salad on a hot summer day when I wanted something cool but filling. It quickly became a favorite and a go-to potluck dish because everyone appreciates the fresh tastes and creamy texture.
Ingredients
- Plain Greek yogurt: provides a thick creamy base with protein and probiotics
- Grated English cucumber: adds freshness and moisture while being mild in flavor
- Fresh lemon juice: gives a lively citrus brightness that balances the creaminess
- Garlic cloves: bring a subtle pungent depth fresh grated is best for flavor
- Chopped fresh dill and parsley: give herbal freshness and authentic tzatziki flavor use vibrant green herbs for best taste
- Sea salt: enhances all the flavors naturally without bitterness
- Freshly ground black pepper: adds mild heat and earthiness
- Cooked chicken: chopped or shredded provides the main protein and texture rotisserie chicken works great here
- Diced cucumber: keeps a crunch and fresh bite separate from the grated cucumber in the sauce
- Diced celery: contributes crunch and mild bitterness for contrast
- Diced red onion: adds sharpness and color
- Crumbled feta cheese: offers salty tang and creamy texture that complements everything
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Spoon the Sauce Together:
- In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (squeezed of excess moisture carefully so the sauce isn’t watery), fresh lemon juice, grated garlic, chopped dill, parsley, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir to create a homogenous creamy tzatziki dressing that is well balanced.
- Mix the Chicken Salad:
- Take a large mixing bowl and combine the chopped or shredded cooked chicken, diced cucumber, diced celery, diced red onion, and crumbled feta cheese. Use ingredients at room temperature if possible for the best melding of flavors.
- Bring It All Together:
- Pour the prepared tzatziki sauce over the chicken and vegetable mixture. Gently stir until everything is evenly coated and incorporated without mashing the vegetables.
- Chill Before Serving:
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least thirty minutes to let the flavors marry and the salad chill nicely. This step makes a big difference in texture and flavor melding.
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My favorite ingredient here is the fresh dill—it ties the whole dish back to traditional Greek tzatziki and brightens every bite. I remember making this for a family picnic once and everyone loved how light yet filling the salad was, especially on a warm afternoon outdoors.
Storage Tips
Store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Stir gently before serving again to redistribute any settling. Avoid freezing as the cucumbers and yogurt dressing will separate and lose their fresh texture.
Ingredient Substitutions
If you do not have fresh dill, dried can be used but start with half the amount as it is more concentrated. Plain yogurt can replace Greek yogurt but expect a thinner dressing strain regular yogurt through cheesecloth if possible. Use cooked turkey or leftover roast chicken if preferred or to change the flavor profile.
Serving Suggestions
Serve chilled with warm pita bread or crunchy crackers for a refreshing lunch. It also works well over a bed of mixed greens or wrapped in a flatbread with some extra sliced tomatoes and olives on the side. A squeeze of extra lemon juice just before eating brightens the whole dish.
Cultural Context
Tzatziki is a traditional Greek sauce made from yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and herbs and is commonly served with grilled meats or as a dip. This salad adapts those classic flavors into a hearty yet fresh chicken dish, blending Mediterranean flair with healthy modern eating habits.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of yogurt works best?
Plain Greek yogurt is ideal for its thick texture and tangy flavor, which gives the sauce creaminess without overpowering the other ingredients.
- → Can I use fresh herbs other than dill and parsley?
Yes, fresh mint or chives can be used to add a different but complementary herbal note to the salad.
- → Should the cucumbers be peeled?
English cucumbers used here are typically thin-skinned and can remain unpeeled after squeezing out excess moisture, preserving their crunch.
- → Is it necessary to chill the salad before serving?
Chilling for at least 30 minutes helps the flavors meld and enhances the freshness and texture of the salad.
- → What can I substitute for feta cheese?
Ricotta salata or cotija cheese offer a similar crumbly texture and salty flavor that works well in this dish.
- → Can this dish be prepared ahead of time?
Yes, preparing it a few hours in advance or the night before allows the flavors to develop, making it even more flavorful.