Fresh & Tangy Zesty Tzatziki Chicken Salad Recipe

Summers call for light, refreshing meals that zesty tzatziki chicken salad perfectly captures.

Cool cucumbers and tangy yogurt blend harmoniously with tender grilled chicken.

Herbs add a bright, aromatic touch to this Mediterranean-inspired dish.

Greek cuisine shines through every crisp, delightful bite.

Each forkful delivers a burst of fresh flavors that dance across your palate.

Crunchy vegetables provide delightful texture alongside creamy sauce.

Prepare to transform your lunch routine with this simple yet spectacular recipe.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 310 kcal

Servings: 5

Tzatziki Chicken Salad Ingredient List

• Cucumber: Fresh, crisp vegetable that adds refreshing moisture and light crunch to the salad.
• Chicken: Lean protein that serves as the primary component, best when using freshly cooked or rotisserie meat.

• Greek Yogurt: Thick, tangy base that creates smooth texture and provides protein boost.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that delivers sharp, intense flavor profile to the sauce.
• Lemon Juice: Bright citrus element that adds zesty freshness and helps balance richness.

• Olive Oil: Rich, smooth oil that contributes Mediterranean essence and helps blend ingredients.
• Red Wine Vinegar: Adds subtle acidic kick and depth to the overall flavor.
• Oregano: Classic Mediterranean herb that brings earthy, slightly peppery undertone.
• Salt: Essential mineral for enhancing and balancing all other flavors.
• Black Pepper: Provides gentle heat and complexity to the salad's taste profile.

Tools to Mix and Chill Tzatziki Chicken Salad Easily

• Box Grater: Essential for shredding cucumber into fine, uniform pieces.
• Kitchen Towel or Paper Towels: Perfect for squeezing out excess moisture from grated cucumber.
• Mixing Bowl: Large enough to combine all tzatziki sauce ingredients smoothly.
• Cutting Board: Needed for prepping cucumber and other ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: For precise mincing of garlic and chopping ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure seasonings and liquids.
• Whisk or Spoon: Great for mixing tzatziki sauce ingredients thoroughly.

How to Make a Tangy and Tzatziki Chicken Salad

• Prepare Cucumber

Grab a fresh cucumber and shred it using a grater. Squeeze out all the extra moisture using a clean kitchen towel, creating a dry cucumber base for the salad.

• Craft Creamy Sauce

In a mixing bowl, blend Greek yogurt with the cucumber, adding zesty garlic, bright lemon juice, smooth olive oil, and a splash of red wine vinegar. Sprinkle in fragrant oregano, then season with salt and pepper to create a tangy, rich dressing.

• Combine Chicken

Chop cooked chicken into bite-sized pieces and fold gently into the creamy sauce, ensuring every morsel gets coated with the vibrant tzatziki-inspired mixture.

• Chill and Serve

Refrigerate the salad for about 30 minutes to let the flavors mingle and develop. When ready, serve chilled on a bed of crisp greens or with warm pita bread for a refreshing meal that bursts with Mediterranean flavors.

Flavor Upgrades for Your Tzatziki Chicken Salad Bowl

• Cucumber Moisture Matters: Thoroughly removing excess liquid from grated cucumber prevents watery tzatziki sauce, ensuring a thick and creamy texture for your chicken salad.
• Greek Yogurt Swap: Replace full-fat Greek yogurt with low-fat or non-fat versions for a lighter dish, or use dairy-free alternatives like coconut yogurt for a vegan-friendly option.
• Herb Garden Twist: Experiment with fresh herbs like dill, mint, or parsley to add unexpected depth and brightness to the tzatziki sauce, elevating the traditional flavor profile.
• Protein Power Boost: Transform this recipe into a high-protein meal by adding quinoa, chickpeas, or additional grilled chicken for extra sustenance and nutritional value.
• Meal Prep Magic: Prepare the tzatziki chicken salad in advance and store in an airtight container for up to 3 days, making it perfect for quick lunches or easy weeknight dinners.

Serve Tzatziki Chicken Salad as a Meal or Wrap

• Cool Mediterranean Platter: Arrange tzatziki chicken salad in the center of a large platter, surrounded by warm pita bread triangles, kalamata olives, and sliced cucumber for a vibrant, restaurant-style presentation.
• Wrap and Roll Delight: Stuff the chicken salad into soft whole wheat tortillas or large lettuce leaves for a light, portable lunch option that's perfect for picnics or quick meals on-the-go.
• Greek-Inspired Mezze Bowl: Layer the tzatziki chicken salad over a bed of quinoa or brown rice, top with crumbled feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, and a sprinkle of fresh dill for a nutritious and colorful meal.
• Fresh Salad Topper: Use the tzatziki chicken salad as a protein-packed topping for mixed greens, adding a creamy and tangy element to your favorite green salad for extra flavor and texture.

How to Store Chicken Salad for Peak Freshness

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store tzatziki chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping ingredients crisp and flavors vibrant.
• Moisture Management: Keep cucumber well-drained before mixing to prevent watery texture and maintain salad's creamy consistency throughout storage period.
• Smart Ingredient Layering: When prepping ahead, store yogurt sauce and chicken separately to prevent sogginess, mixing just before serving for maximum freshness and crunch.
• Temperature Mindset: Always chill salad below 40°F (4°C) to prevent bacterial growth and maintain food safety, using cold storage containers with tight-sealing lids.

Zesty Tzatziki Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.5 from 31 reviews

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

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Description

Greek-inspired tzatziki chicken salad brings Mediterranean freshness to your plate. Crisp vegetables, tender chicken, and tangy yogurt dressing create a light, refreshing meal you’ll crave.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (300 g / 10.5 oz) cooked chicken, shredded or diced (grilled, roasted, or rotisserie)
• 1 cup (240 g / 8.5 oz) plain Greek yogurt (non-fat or full-fat)
• ½ cucumber, grated and squeezed to remove excess liquid
• 1 cucumber, diced (seeded if desired)
• ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
• ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped (or parsley if preferred)
• ¼ cup Kalamata olives, chopped (optional)
• ¼ cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp red wine vinegar (optional)
• 1 tsp dried oregano (or fresh oregano, chopped)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Cucumber Preparation: Shred cucumber using a box grater into ultra-fine strands, creating a delicate texture for the tzatziki sauce.
2. Moisture Extraction: Transfer grated cucumber to a clean kitchen towel, applying gentle pressure to eliminate excess liquid, ensuring a thick and creamy sauce consistency.
3. Tzatziki Base Creation: Blend Greek yogurt with the prepared cucumber, incorporating minced garlic, freshly squeezed lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, and optional red wine vinegar into a harmonious mixture.
4. Seasoning Integration: Sprinkle dried oregano, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper throughout the sauce, folding gently to distribute flavors evenly and create a balanced, aromatic profile.
5. Flavor Refinement: Taste and adjust seasoning, fine-tuning the sauce’s tanginess and herbal notes to achieve a perfect flavor balance.
6. Resting and Melding: Allow the tzatziki sauce to rest briefly, enabling ingredients to intermingle and intensify, creating a robust and complex flavor profile ready for serving or as a chicken salad dressing.

Notes

• Drain Cucumber Thoroughly: Remove maximum moisture from grated cucumber to prevent watery tzatziki, ensuring a thick and creamy sauce consistency.
• Balance Flavor Profile: Adjust lemon juice, garlic, and herbs incrementally to create a harmonious tangy and herbal taste without overpowering other ingredients.
• Control Yogurt Texture: Use full-fat Greek yogurt for richer, more stable sauce that holds its structure and provides better mouthfeel.
• Enhance Herb Freshness: Consider adding fresh chopped dill or mint alongside dried oregano to boost aromatic complexity and elevate overall flavor depth.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 310
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg