Fresh Tzatziki Chicken Salad: A Bright, Tangy Meal (Print Version)

Whip up this Fresh Tzatziki Chicken Salad Recipe for a light, satisfying meal. Tangy yogurt, crisp cucumber, and tender chicken make summer easy.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Dietary: Gluten-Free, High Protein

# Ingredients:

→ Chicken & Base

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
02 - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2%)

→ Tzatziki Fixings

03 - 1 large cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced (or more, if you dare!)

→ Flavor Boosters & Crunch

06 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
07 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, or to taste

→ Finishing Touches (Optional)

10 - Fresh mint leaves, for garnish
11 - Pinch of red pepper flakes, for a little heat

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get that chicken ready. If you're cooking it fresh, poach or bake your chicken breasts until they're cooked through, then let them cool completely. This is where I always want to rush it, but warm chicken makes for a weirdly warm salad. Once cool, shred or dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces. I like shredding because it really soaks up all that amazing tzatziki goodness, and honestly, it's more fun than chopping.
02 - Next up, the cucumber! Grate your cucumber using the large holes of a box grater. Now, here's the critical step for a truly great Fresh Tzatziki Chicken Salad: place the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel or paper towels and squeeze out as much excess water as you possibly can. I mean, really squeeze it! I learned this the hard way when my first batch was more like chicken soup. This step ensures your salad stays creamy, not watery.
03 - In a medium bowl, combine your thick Greek yogurt, the super-fine minced garlic, and the chopped fresh dill. Give it a good stir. Oh, the smell of fresh dill and garlic together is just divine, isn't it? This is where the magic starts for our Fresh Tzatziki Chicken Salad. Make sure everything is well incorporated before moving on.
04 - Now, let's get those flavors dancing! Stir in the fresh lemon juice, the finely diced red onion, and a good pinch of salt and black pepper to your tzatziki mixture. Taste it! This is your chance to adjust. Need more garlic? Go for it! A little more lemon for zing? You're the chef! I always taste at this stage to make sure it's got that perfect balance of tangy and savory.
05 - Gently fold the shredded or diced chicken into the tzatziki mixture. Make sure every piece of chicken is coated in that creamy, flavorful dressing. I usually use a spatula for this to avoid mashing the chicken too much. We want tender, coated chicken, not chicken mush! This is where your Fresh Tzatziki Chicken Salad really comes together.
06 - Cover the bowl and pop your Fresh Tzatziki Chicken Salad into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This chilling time is important; it allows the flavors to meld and develop, making it taste even better. Trust me, it's worth the wait. When you're ready to serve, give it another quick stir and enjoy that bright, tangy deliciousness!

# Notes:

01 - Don't over-shred the chicken, it gets mushy!
02 - Make the tzatziki ahead for best flavor.
03 - Greek yogurt for mayo, actually works!
04 - Serve in lettuce cups for a light, satisfying crunch.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Mixing bowls
02 - grater
03 - kitchen towel
04 - spatula

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350
Total Fat: 15g
Total Carbohydrate: 10g
Protein: 35g

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