Creamy, fresh, tangy, and packed with Mediterranean flavor! This Creamy Greek Tzatziki Chicken Salad combines tender chicken with crisp cucumber, fresh herbs, creamy Greek yogurt tzatziki, and colorful vegetables. It’s delicious in pita bread, lettuce cups, wraps, or served over a fresh salad.
Ingredients
For the Chicken Salad
3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
½ cup cucumber, finely diced
¼ cup red onion, finely diced
½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
¼ cup Kalamata olives, sliced
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
For the Creamy Tzatziki Dressing
¾ cup plain Greek yogurt
¼ cup grated English cucumber
1–2 garlic cloves, finely minced or grated
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
2 teaspoons fresh mint, chopped
1–2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
⅛ teaspoon salt
Black pepper, to taste
Optional
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon crumbled feta for extra richness
A pinch of dried oregano
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken
Use cooked, cooled chicken breast or rotisserie chicken. Remove the skin and bones if necessary, then shred or dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare the Cucumber for Tzatziki
Grate the cucumber for the dressing.
Sprinkle it with a small pinch of salt and let it sit in a fine-mesh strainer for about 15–20 minutes.
Squeeze out as much excess liquid as possible. This prevents the tzatziki from becoming watery.
- Make the Tzatziki
In a bowl, combine:
Greek yogurt
Drained grated cucumber
Garlic
Fresh dill
Fresh mint
Lemon juice
Olive oil
Salt
Black pepper
Stir until smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust the lemon juice or salt as desired. Traditional-style tzatziki benefits from properly draining the cucumber and using thick Greek yogurt.
- Prepare the Salad Ingredients
In a large bowl, add the cooked chicken, diced cucumber, red onion, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, feta, parsley, and dill.
- Add the Tzatziki
Add about ¾ cup of the prepared tzatziki to the chicken mixture.
Gently toss until everything is evenly coated.
Add more tzatziki if you prefer a creamier chicken salad.
- Chill
Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
This gives the chicken time to absorb the fresh garlic, lemon, herbs, and creamy tzatziki flavors.
- Serve
Serve chilled with:
Warm pita bread
Lettuce cups
Tortilla wraps
Cucumber slices
Crackers
Mixed greens
Pita chips
In a Mediterranean grain bowl
Optional Mediterranean Garnish
Top with:
Fresh dill
Crumbled feta
Kalamata olives
Cucumber slices
A drizzle of olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper
A small sprinkle of dried oregano
Tips for the Best Tzatziki Chicken Salad
Drain the cucumber well: This is one of the most important steps because excess cucumber water can make the dressing thin.
Use Greek yogurt: Its thick, strained texture makes the tzatziki creamy and rich.
Use fresh herbs: Dill and mint give the dressing its bright Mediterranean flavor.
Don’t overmix: Gently fold the ingredients together so the tomatoes and feta stay intact.
Chill before serving: About 30 minutes in the refrigerator allows the flavors to blend beautifully.
All Nut & Allergen Information
Does this recipe contain nuts?
No. The basic recipe does not contain tree nuts or peanuts.
Is it nut-free?
Yes, the ingredients listed are naturally nut-free. However, if preparing this for someone with a severe allergy, check packaged ingredients such as Greek yogurt, feta, olives, and seasonings for possible cross-contact warnings.
Common allergens
Milk: Greek yogurt and feta contain dairy.
Possible egg: Some prepared mayonnaise-based products aren’t used in this recipe, so the basic recipe is egg-free.
Gluten: The chicken salad itself is naturally gluten-free, but pita bread, crackers, or wraps may contain gluten.
Nut-free serving options
For a completely nut-free meal, serve with:
Lettuce cups
Cucumber slices
Gluten-free crackers
Gluten-free pita
Fresh vegetables
Approximate Nutrition
Per serving, assuming 6 servings:
Calories: ~280
Protein: ~29 g
Carbohydrates: ~7 g
Fat: ~14 g
Fiber: ~1–2 g
Sugar: ~3–4 g
Nutrition will vary depending on the chicken, Greek yogurt, feta, olives, and portion size used.
Storage
Store the chicken salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
For best quality, enjoy within 3–4 days.
Keep refrigerated and don’t leave the chicken salad sitting at room temperature for extended periods.
If preparing ahead, you can store the tzatziki separately and mix it with the chicken shortly before serving for the freshest texture.
Q&A
Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken?
A: Absolutely. Rotisserie chicken makes this recipe quick and easy. Remove the skin and bones, then shred the meat.
Q: Can I use chicken breast or chicken thighs?
A: Yes. Chicken breast gives a leaner result, while chicken thighs provide a richer and more tender texture.
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes. It can be prepared several hours ahead and refrigerated. The flavors become even more blended after chilling.
Q: Can I use store-bought tzatziki?
A: Yes. Homemade tzatziki gives the freshest flavor, but a good-quality prepared tzatziki can save time.
Q: Why do I need to drain the cucumber?
A: Cucumber contains a lot of water. Draining and squeezing it prevents the tzatziki from becoming watery.
Q: Can I leave out the mint?
A: Yes. Dill is more traditional in many versions, but mint adds a refreshing flavor. Chef’s Notes specifically recommends the combination of dill and mint for its tzatziki.
Q: Can I add avocado?
A: Yes. Diced avocado makes the salad creamier, although it is best added just before serving.
Q: Can I add grapes?
A: You can, but grapes aren’t traditional Mediterranean ingredients for this version. They will add a sweet contrast to the savory tzatziki.
Q: Can I make this dairy-free?
A: Yes. Use a dairy-free Greek-style yogurt and omit the feta, or use a dairy-free feta alternative.
Q: Is this recipe gluten-free?
A: The chicken salad itself can be gluten-free. Serve it with gluten-free pita, lettuce, vegetables, or crackers and check packaged ingredients.
Q: Can I make it lower in calories?
A: Use low-fat Greek yogurt and reduce the amount of feta and olive oil.
Q: What is the best way to serve it?
A: It’s excellent in lettuce cups, pita bread, wraps, or over mixed greens. It also makes a great meal-prep lunch.
Q: Can I freeze this chicken salad?
A: Freezing isn’t recommended because the yogurt-based tzatziki can separate and become watery after thawing.
Q: Can I add feta?
A: Definitely. Feta adds a salty, tangy flavor that works beautifully with the cucumber, lemon, herbs, and chicken.
Q: How long does homemade tzatziki last?
A: Properly refrigerated homemade tzatziki can generally be kept for several days; Chef’s Notes recommends about 3–5 days for its tzatziki recipe.
