Quick & Zesty Tzatziki Chicken Salad Recipe That Everyone Loves

Tzatziki chicken salad bursts with Mediterranean charm, combining creamy textures and vibrant flavors that dance across your palate.

Tangy yogurt creates a refreshing base for this delightful dish, upgradeing ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Cool cucumber adds crisp brightness while herbs bring unexpected depth to every bite.

Greek-inspired seasonings infuse the recipe with zesty character and irresistible appeal.

Protein-packed chicken provides substantial satisfaction, making this salad both nutritious and indulgent.

Light yet filling, this culinary creation offers a perfect balance between healthful eating and incredible taste.

Summer gatherings or quick weekday lunches become special moments with this remarkable recipe.

Tzatziki Chicken Salad: Flavor and Texture in One Bowl

• Burst of Mediterranean Freshness: This tzatziki chicken salad delivers a zesty, cool flavor profile that transports your taste buds straight to the Greek islands with its vibrant blend of yogurt, dill, and lemon.
• Super Quick and Easy Meal Prep: Perfect for busy people, this recipe takes minimal cooking time and uses convenient rotisserie chicken, making it an ideal solution for fast, delicious lunches or light dinners.
• Versatile Serving Options: Enjoy this protein-packed salad multiple ways- tucked into pita bread, served over crisp lettuce, or paired with crunchy crackers, giving you flexibility for different meal preferences and occasions.
• Healthy Protein-Packed Delight: Combining lean rotisserie chicken with protein-rich Greek yogurt creates a nutritious dish that's both satisfying and light, perfect for health-conscious food lovers seeking a refreshing meal option.

Ingredients for Refreshing Tzatziki Chicken Salad

• Rotisserie Chicken: Tender, pre-cooked meat that makes meal preparation quick and easy. Choose a fresh, well-seasoned rotisserie chicken from the deli section.

• Cucumber: Provides crisp texture and fresh flavor. Select firm, dark green cucumbers without soft spots.
• Red Onion: Adds sharp, tangy bite to the salad. Pick onions with smooth, tight skin and no bruising.

• Greek Yogurt: Creamy base that gives traditional tzatziki its signature tang. Full-fat yogurt offers richer flavor.
• Dill: Herb that brings classic Mediterranean freshness. Fresh dill provides more vibrant taste than dried.
• Garlic: Provides deep, aromatic flavor. Fresh garlic cloves deliver more intense taste than pre-minced.

• Lemon Juice: Brightens overall flavor and adds acidity. Fresh lemons provide better taste than bottled juice.
• Salt: Enhances all other flavors in the dish. Kosher or sea salt recommended for best results.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and depth. Freshly ground pepper offers more robust flavor.

• Pita Bread: Traditional Mediterranean carrier for the salad.
• Crackers: Crunchy alternative serving option.
• Pita Chips: Provides additional texture and crunch.
• Lettuce: Light, fresh base for salad presentation.
• Tomato: Fresh topping that adds moisture and color.

Directions for Building Tzatziki Chicken Salad

Step 1: Prepare Cucumber

• Grate cucumber using a box grater
• Wrap grated cucumber in a clean paper towel
• Gently squeeze to remove excess water
• Pat cucumber dry with additional paper towel

Step 2: Create Tzatziki Base

• Greek yogurt
• Fresh dill
• Lemon juice
• Minced garlic
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 3: Shred Chicken

• Pull rotisserie chicken into small, bite-sized pieces
• Use two forks to shred meat thoroughly
• Separate white and dark meat as desired

Step 4: Combine Chicken and Sauce

• Add shredded chicken to tzatziki mixture
• Dice red onion
• Fold chicken and onion into sauce
• Ensure everything is evenly coated

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

Pro Tips for Creamy Tzatziki Chicken Salad

• Drain Cucumber Thoroughly: Remove as much liquid as possible to prevent a watery tzatziki sauce, ensuring a thick and creamy texture for your chicken salad.
• Choose Fresh Herbs: Use fresh dill instead of dried for a more vibrant, bright flavor that elevates the entire dish's taste profile.
• Customize Chicken Texture: Shred rotisserie chicken with two forks for consistent, tender bite-sized pieces that blend perfectly with the creamy tzatziki.
• Enhance Flavor Balance: Let the salad sit for 15-30 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to meld and develop a more complex, harmonious taste.
• Experiment with Serving Options: Try different base options like lettuce wraps, whole grain toast, or as a protein-packed topping for green salads to keep the meal interesting.

How to Store Leftover Tzatziki Chicken Salad

• Refrigerate: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, keeping the tzatziki chicken salad fresh and tasty.
• Seal Tight: Cover the container completely to prevent moisture loss and avoid absorbing other refrigerator odors, maintaining the salad's delicate flavor.
• Serve Chilled: Before serving, give the salad a quick stir to redistribute the tzatziki sauce and enjoy cold as a quick lunch or snack straight from the fridge.

Pairings That Work with Tzatziki Chicken Salad

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Complement the tangy tzatziki flavors with a refreshing Assyrtiko from Greece or a zesty Sauvignon Blanc, cutting through the creamy yogurt and enhancing the herbal dill notes.
• Mediterranean Side Salad Match: Serve alongside a Greek-style salad with kalamata olives, feta cheese, and a light olive oil dressing to amplify the Mediterranean profile of the chicken salad.
• Crunchy Pita Chip Combo: Select thick, herbed pita chips or homemade warm pita bread to provide a delightful textural contrast to the creamy chicken mixture, creating a satisfying bite with each scoop.
• Fresh Cucumber Garnish: Top the salad with extra cucumber slices or quick-pickled cucumber ribbons to double down on the cool, refreshing tzatziki essence and add a bright, crisp element to the dish.

Variations to Change Up Tzatziki Chicken Salad

• Greek Pita Pockets: Stuff the tzatziki chicken salad into warm pita bread with extra cucumber slices and crumbled feta cheese for a handheld Mediterranean-style meal.
• Lettuce Wrap Edition: Swap pita for large crisp lettuce leaves, creating a low-carb version that's fresh and light with the same zesty tzatziki flavor.
• Mediterranean Grain Bowl: Layer the chicken salad over quinoa or bulgur wheat, topped with kalamata olives and a sprinkle of za'atar seasoning for added depth and nutrition.
• Cucumber Boat Bites: Hollow out cucumber halves and fill with the tzatziki chicken mixture for an elegant, refreshing appetizer perfect for summer gatherings.

Tzatziki Chicken Salad Recipe

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4.6 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Greek-inspired tzatziki chicken salad blends creamy yogurt, crisp cucumbers, and tender grilled chicken into a refreshing Mediterranean masterpiece. Cool herbal notes and zesty lemon elevate this light, protein-packed dish that you’ll crave all summer long.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 1 cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded

Fresh Produce:

• 1 medium cucumber, finely grated
• ½ red onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced

Dairy and Seasoning:

• ¾ cup (177 milliliters) plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the cucumber by using a grater to create fine shreds, then transfer to a clean cloth or paper towel, gently pressing to remove excess liquid, ensuring the tzatziki sauce remains thick and creamy.
2. Create the tzatziki base by mixing the drained cucumber with Greek yogurt, adding minced garlic, chopped fresh dill, a splash of bright lemon juice, and seasoning with salt and pepper until the mixture is well integrated and smooth.
3. Deconstruct the rotisserie chicken into delicate, bite-sized fragments, carefully pulling apart the meat to maintain its tender texture.
4. Incorporate the shredded chicken into the tzatziki mixture, folding gently to coat each morsel with the herb-infused sauce, then sprinkle diced red onion throughout for a sharp, crisp contrast.
5. Explore serving options by nestling the salad inside warm pita bread, arranging atop crisp lettuce leaves, or accompanying with crunchy crackers and pita chips for varied texture and presentation.
6. Preserve any remaining salad by transferring to an airtight container and refrigerating, ensuring optimal freshness and flavor for future enjoyment.

Notes

• Pat cucumber dry thoroughly to prevent watery tzatziki sauce and maintain creamy texture.
• Choose high-quality Greek yogurt for rich, tangy flavor and authentic Mediterranean taste.
• Rotisserie chicken saves time and adds delicious pre-seasoned protein to the salad.
• Adjust garlic and lemon juice according to personal preference for balanced flavor profile.
• Refrigerate salad for 30 minutes before serving to enhance herb and seasoning blend.
• Best consumed within 2-3 days for optimal freshness and food safety.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 14 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg