This Mediterranean Tzatziki Chicken Salad is my idea of the perfect light yet satisfying meal! It’s bursting with fresh flavors, vibrant colors, and a creamy, homemade tzatziki dressing that takes it to the next level. I love how easy it is to make, and it’s a great way to use up leftover cooked chicken. This salad is perfect for lunch, a light dinner, or even a potluck dish. Get ready for a taste of the Mediterranean!
Why You’ll Love This Tzatziki Chicken Salad
- Fresh and Flavorful: The combination of crisp romaine lettuce, juicy tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and a zesty tzatziki dressing is incredibly refreshing.
- Healthy and Light: Packed with protein and vegetables, this salad is a healthy and satisfying meal.
- Easy to Make: It comes together quickly, especially if you use pre-cooked chicken.
- Homemade Tzatziki: The homemade tzatziki dressing is the star of the show – it’s creamy, tangy, and so much better than store-bought.
Ingredients for Mediterranean Tzatziki Chicken Salad
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious salad. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Tzatziki Dressing
- Plain Greek Yogurt (Dairy)
- Cucumber (Vegetable)
- Garlic Cloves (Aromatic)
- Olive Oil (Oil)
- Fresh Dill (Herb)
- Salt (Seasoning)
- Pepper (Spice)
Salad Base
- Chopped Cooked Chicken (Meat)
- Romaine Lettuce (Vegetable)
- Grape Tomatoes (Vegetable)
- Pepperoncini Peppers (Vegetable)
- Kalamata Olives (Fruit)
- Red Onion (Vegetable)
- Crumbled Feta Cheese (Dairy)
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.)
Variations
I love this Mediterranean Tzatziki Chicken Salad as is, but here are a few ways to mix it up:
- Add More Veggies: Toss in some chopped bell peppers, cucumbers, or artichoke hearts.
- Use Different Greens: Substitute spinach or mixed greens for the romaine lettuce.
- Add Grains: Make it a heartier meal by adding cooked quinoa, couscous, or farro.
- Different Protein: Try using grilled shrimp, chickpeas, or grilled halloumi cheese instead of chicken.
- Make it a Wrap: Serve the salad in pita bread or tortillas for a delicious wrap.
How to Make Mediterranean Tzatziki Chicken Salad
Let me show you how easy it is to make this fresh and flavorful salad:
Prepare the Tzatziki
- First, I mix the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, pressed garlic, olive oil, and chopped fresh dill in a bowl.
- I season it with salt and pepper to taste, making sure to mix everything until it’s smooth and creamy.
Assemble the Salad
- In a large salad bowl, I toss together the romaine lettuce, halved grape tomatoes, sliced pepperoncini, Kalamata olives, and chopped red onion.
Add Chicken
- I layer the chopped cooked chicken over the salad base.
Dress with Tzatziki
- I dollop the homemade tzatziki dressing generously over the salad and chicken.
Garnish
- Finally, I sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top.
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Tzatziki Chicken Salad
Here are a few tips for making this salad extra special:
- Use Full-Fat Greek Yogurt: Full-fat Greek yogurt will give the tzatziki the creamiest texture.
- Grate the Cucumber: Grating the cucumber helps to release its moisture, which adds flavor to the tzatziki.
- Press the Garlic: Using a garlic press releases more of the garlic’s flavor than mincing it.
- Fresh Dill is Key: Fresh dill adds a bright, herbaceous flavor that’s essential to tzatziki.
How to Serve
This Mediterranean Tzatziki Chicken Salad is a complete meal on its own, but here are a few serving ideas:
- Pita Bread: Serve it with warm pita bread for scooping up the salad.
- Crackers: Enjoy it with crackers for a light lunch or snack.
- Side Dish: Serve it as a side dish alongside grilled meats or fish.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can prepare the tzatziki dressing and chop the vegetables ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator. Assemble the salad just before serving. Leftover salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, but the lettuce may become slightly wilted.
FAQs about Mediterranean Tzatziki Chicken Salad
- Can I use a different type of lettuce?
- Yes, you can use any type of lettuce you like, such as spinach, mixed greens, or butter lettuce.
- Can I make this without the chicken?
- Absolutely! You can omit the chicken for a vegetarian version.
- What if I don’t have fresh dill?
- You can use dried dill, but fresh dill has a brighter flavor. Use about 1 teaspoon of dried dill for every tablespoon of fresh dill.
Enjoy this fresh, flavorful, and easy-to-make Mediterranean Tzatziki Chicken Salad! It’s a delicious and healthy meal that’s perfect for any occasion.
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Mediterranean Tzatziki Chicken Salad (Fresh & Flavorful!)
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (assuming chicken is already cooked)
- Total Time: 20
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Salad, Main Course, Lunch
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Description
This refreshing and flavorful Mediterranean Tzatziki Chicken Salad is packed with protein, fresh vegetables, and a creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. It’s a light yet satisfying meal perfect for lunch or dinner!
Ingredients
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, grated
- 2–3 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Salad:
- 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded
- 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
- 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
Instructions
- Make the Tzatziki Sauce: In a medium bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, pressed garlic, olive oil, and chopped dill. Stir well to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare the Salad Base: In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, halved grape tomatoes, sliced pepperoncini peppers, sliced Kalamata olives, and chopped red onion. Toss gently to combine.
- Add Chicken: Layer the chopped cooked chicken evenly over the salad base.
- Dress the Salad: Dollop the prepared tzatziki sauce over the chicken and salad. You can either serve it with the sauce on top or toss everything together gently to coat.
- Garnish: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the top of the salad.
Notes
- Cucumber: For best results, squeeze out the excess liquid from the grated cucumber before adding it to the tzatziki sauce. This will prevent the sauce from becoming too watery. You can do this by placing the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeezing gently.
- Chicken: You can use leftover cooked chicken, rotisserie chicken, or grilled chicken for this recipe.
- Serving Suggestions: Serve this salad as a light meal or as a side dish. It’s also great in pita bread or wraps.
- Storage: Store leftover salad and tzatziki sauce separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The salad is best enjoyed fresh, as the lettuce may wilt over time.