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Tzatziki Chicken Salad with grilled chicken, crisp vegetables, feta cheese, and creamy Greek yogurt dressing in large white bowl

Tzatziki Chicken Salad

A light yet satisfying meal featuring juicy, herb-marinated chicken with cool, creamy Greek yogurt tzatziki dressing loaded with cucumbers, garlic, and dill. Fresh, healthy, and bursting with bright Mediterranean flavors.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 portions
Course: Dinner, Main Course, Salad
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Calories: 285

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs pounded to 1/2-inch thickness
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil for chicken marinade
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt full-fat recommended
  • 1/2 cucumber halved, seeds removed, grated and excess water squeezed out
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice for tzatziki
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil for tzatziki
  • 1 clove garlic minced, for tzatziki
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried
  • 2 cups chopped romaine or mixed greens
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 1/2 red onion thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup sliced cucumber
  • 1/4 cup Kalamata olives pitted
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese optional

Equipment

  • Grill pan or large skillet
  • Mixing bowls
  • Box grater
  • Meat thermometer
  • Clean kitchen towel
  • Large serving bowl

Method
 

  1. If your chicken breasts are thick, pound them to an even 1/2-inch thickness. In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken pieces and turn to coat all sides. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
  2. Heat a grill pan or large skillet over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes until a water droplet sizzles and evaporates on contact. Add marinated chicken and cook for 6 to 7 minutes per side. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the juices run clear. Remove from heat and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips or bite-sized cubes.
  3. While chicken cooks, prepare your tzatziki. Halve the cucumber lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with a spoon. Grate using the large holes of a box grater, then wrap the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and twist tightly over the sink until no more liquid drips out (you should extract 2-3 tablespoons of liquid). Combine Greek yogurt, squeezed cucumber, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, and dill in a bowl. Season generously with salt and pepper, then stir until smooth and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
  4. In a large serving bowl, combine chopped greens, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, cucumber rounds, olives, and feta cheese if using. Top with your sliced chicken.
  5. Drizzle tzatziki dressing over the entire salad and toss gently to combine, making sure the dressing coats everything. Serve immediately for a fresh crunch, or chill for 10-15 minutes if you prefer it cold.

Notes

For meal prep, store all components separately - chicken, tzatziki, and greens each in their own airtight container. Assemble just before eating. The chicken stays fresh for 3-4 days refrigerated, and tzatziki keeps for up to 3 days. You can use rotisserie chicken as a shortcut - just toss with olive oil, lemon juice, and oregano. Add roasted chickpeas or toasted pita chips for extra crunch.