Tzatziki Chicken Salad

$- 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded - 1 cup Greek yogurt - 1 cucumber, grated and squeezed - 2 garlic cloves, minced - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice - Salt and pepper to taste - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - 1/2 red onion, finely chopped - 1/4 cup feta cheese (optional) - Fresh greens for serving To make Tzatziki Chicken Salad, you need a few simple ingredients. Start with cooked chicken breast. I like to shred it for easy mixing. Then grab some Greek yogurt. This will make your salad creamy and tasty. Don't forget the cucumber! Grate it and squeeze out the excess water. This keeps the salad from getting too watery. Next, use garlic for a little kick. Mince two cloves. Fresh dill adds a bright flavor. One tablespoon is enough. Fresh lemon juice gives a zesty touch. Season with salt and pepper to enhance the taste. For a burst of color, add cherry tomatoes. Halve one cup and toss them in. Finely chop half a red onion for a bit of crunch. You can also add feta cheese if you like. It’s optional but adds a nice creaminess. Finally, prepare some fresh greens like lettuce or arugula for serving. These ingredients come together to create a refreshing meal. Don't be afraid to adjust them to suit your taste! {{ingredient_image_1}} To make the tzatziki dressing, grab a large mixing bowl. Add 1 cup of Greek yogurt. Next, grate 1 cucumber and squeeze out excess water. This step keeps our dressing thick and fresh. Toss the grated cucumber into the bowl. Then, mince 2 garlic cloves and add them in. For flavor, add 1 tablespoon of fresh dill and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix everything well until it is smooth and creamy. This tzatziki sauce gives our chicken salad a cool, tangy flavor. Now it’s time to mix in the chicken. Take 2 cups of shredded cooked chicken breast and add it to the tzatziki dressing. Stir until the chicken is fully coated. This makes sure each bite is packed with flavor. Next, gently fold in 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes and 1/2 finely chopped red onion. These ingredients add color and crunch. If you like, sprinkle in 1/4 cup of crumbled feta cheese for extra taste. Gently mix it all together until well combined. For serving, place a handful of fresh greens on each plate. Lettuce or arugula works great here. Top the greens with a generous scoop of tzatziki chicken salad. This makes a lovely, colorful dish. If you want, drizzle some extra tzatziki over the salad. Finally, garnish with a little extra dill for a fresh touch. Enjoy this refreshing meal that is perfect for lunch or dinner. To get the best texture in your tzatziki chicken salad, start with the yogurt. Use thick Greek yogurt for a creamy base. Grate the cucumber finely and make sure to squeeze out excess water. This step keeps your salad from getting soggy. When you mix in the chicken, be gentle. You want to keep the chicken pieces nice and whole. Adding fresh herbs makes a big difference. Dill adds a bright taste that works well with tzatziki. If you want a kick, try adding a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika. A squeeze of lemon juice brightens up the flavor too. You can also mix in other veggies like bell peppers or olives for extra color and taste. One common mistake is not draining the cucumber well. If you skip this, your salad can turn watery. Another issue is over-mixing. Gently fold in the tomatoes and onion to keep their texture. Lastly, don’t skip the salt and pepper. These simple seasonings bring out all the flavors. Pro Tips Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh herbs and high-quality Greek yogurt will greatly enhance the flavor of your tzatziki chicken salad. Chill Before Serving: Letting the salad chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Customize Your Veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or avocado for extra color and nutrition. Make It Ahead: This salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, making it perfect for meal prep. {{image_2}} You can make Tzatziki Chicken Salad even healthier. Use grilled chicken instead of cooked. This adds less fat and more flavor. You can also swap Greek yogurt for a low-fat version. This keeps the taste but cuts calories. For a lighter option, add more veggies. Try bell peppers or celery for crunch. They add color and nutrients to your meal. If you're vegan, replace chicken with chickpeas. They give protein and a hearty texture. Use coconut yogurt to keep the tzatziki creamy. For gluten-free eaters, this salad is naturally gluten-free. Just ensure any added ingredients are gluten-free. If you like spice, add jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce. This gives the salad a nice kick. Feel free to mix and match ingredients for fun. Swap cherry tomatoes for diced bell peppers. They add sweetness and extra crunch. Instead of red onion, try green onions for a milder taste. You can also use different herbs like mint or parsley. These give a fresh twist to the classic tzatziki flavor. If you love cheese, try using goat cheese instead of feta. It adds a tangy taste that pairs well with the salad. To keep your tzatziki chicken salad fresh, place it in an airtight container. Always use a clean spoon to serve. This helps avoid germs. Store it in the fridge for up to three days. If you notice any change in smell or color, toss it out. Freezing tzatziki chicken salad is not the best idea. The yogurt and cucumber can change texture when frozen. If you want to save it, freeze the chicken alone. When ready, defrost it in the fridge. Then mix it with fresh tzatziki sauce and veggies. Reheat shredded chicken in the microwave for about one minute. Make sure to cover it to keep moisture. Stir the chicken halfway to heat evenly. Let it cool before mixing with the cold tzatziki salad. This ensures you enjoy that fresh taste! Tzatziki chicken salad is a fresh and creamy dish. It combines shredded chicken with a tzatziki dressing made from Greek yogurt. The dressing includes grated cucumber, garlic, dill, and lemon juice. This salad is perfect for warm days. It is light yet filling, making it a great meal option. Yes, you can make this salad ahead of time. It tastes even better after sitting for a bit. The flavors mix and become more vibrant. Just store it in the fridge in an airtight container. I suggest eating it within two days for the best taste and texture. You can serve this salad in many ways. Here are some ideas: - Place it on a bed of fresh greens like lettuce or arugula. - Use it as a filling for pita bread or wraps. - Serve it with whole grain crackers for a quick snack. - Top it on a grain bowl with quinoa or brown rice. Each of these options adds a fun twist to your meal! This blog post covered a delicious Tzatziki Chicken Salad. We looked at key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips. You learned how to enhance flavor, avoid common mistakes, and store leftovers. The variations let you adapt the salad to fit your taste. In the end, this recipe offers a fresh and healthy option for any meal. Enjoy creating this dish and impress yourself and others with your skills!$

A refreshing chicken salad with tzatziki dressing, perfect for a light meal.

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Prep Time 15

Total Time 15

Course Main Course

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
1 cup Greek yogurt
1 whole cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
to taste salt and pepper
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 half red onion, finely chopped
1 quarter cup feta cheese, crumbled (optional)
as needed fresh greens (e.g., lettuce or arugula) for serving

Instructions

In a large mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Mix well to create the tzatziki dressing.
Add the shredded chicken to the tzatziki mixture and stir until the chicken is evenly coated.
Gently fold in the cherry tomatoes and red onion to the chicken salad until well mixed.
If desired, incorporate crumbled feta cheese for an added burst of flavor.
To serve, place a handful of fresh greens on each plate and top with a generous portion of the tzatziki chicken salad.
Optionally, drizzle a little extra tzatziki over the top and garnish with a sprinkle of dill.

Notes

Optional to drizzle extra tzatziki on top and garnish with dill.

Keyword chicken salad, healthy, Mediterranean, tzatziki