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This Greek inspired tzatziki chicken salad is so flavorful and packed with protein! Homemade tzatziki sauce is the base for this healthy and creamy chicken salad, while kalamata olives, red onions, feta, and dill add salty, fresh, and crunchy elements to it.
Looking for another delicious chicken salad? Try my Grilled Chicken Waldorf Salad!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love Tzatziki Chicken Salad
Healthy and lots of protein – The creaminess for this chicken salad comes from high protein Greek yogurt. The yogurt replaces any mayonnaise that is typically used in chicken salad.
Tzatziki sauce – My homemade tzatziki sauce is so easy to make and tastes better than anything you’ll buy at the store. It only uses a handful of simple ingredients, many that you may already have. It’s what makes this Greek flavored chicken salad so special! I also love using it as a dip for these Greek Meatballs.
Meal prepping – If you meal prep your lunches, this is a great option. It holds up well for up 4 days and there’s multiple ways to serve it so you don’t get tired of it.
Ingredient Notes
Greek yogurt – Plain Greek yogurt is the base for the chicken salad. It’s high in protein and a great substitute for mayo or sour cream.
Cucumber – Persian or English cucumbers work best.
Lemon – Use fresh squeezed lemon juice. The flavor is superior.
Dill and flat leaf parsley – Fresh herbs make this chicken salad pop and give it a wonderful fresh flavor.
Garlic powder – I prefer to use garlic powder when I’m adding it to something that won’t be cooked. Raw garlic is a little too harsh for me. If you prefer to use fresh, use one small clove.
Shredded chicken – Cooked shredded chicken breasts or thighs can be used.
Red onion, kalamata olives – Red onion is great in salads, the flavor isn’t as sharp as yellow or white onion. The olives add a nice salty, briny flavor.
Feta cheese – Buy a block of feta and crumble it yourself. It will have a creamier texture and the flavor is better.
How to Make Creamy Tzatziki Chicken Salad
Add all of the ingredients for the tzatziki to a mixing bowl. Stir until combined.
Add the shredded chicken, onion, olives, feta, and parsley to the bowl. Stir everything together and taste for seasoning. Add additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice depending on your taste.
Recipe Tip
Don’t skip the step of squeezing the excess liquid out of the shredded cucumber. If you do the tzatziki will be too watery, especially if you have leftovers. You can use paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to squeeze out the liquid.
Can I use Regular Yogurt Instead of Greek Yogurt for Tzatziki
Greek yogurt really is best for making tzatziki. It’s thicker and creamier than regular yogurt. However, in a pinch you can use plain full fat regular yogurt.
Substitutions and Variations
- Use a different variety of Greek olives or omit them if you don’t like olives.
- Add extra veggies. Diced red peppers or cherry tomatoes work well.
- Roasted red peppers, pepperoncini, and marinated artichokes can be added in or used as a substitute for the red onion and or olives.
- Rotisserie chicken is great to use if you’re short on time or don’t have any leftover chicken.
Ways to Serve Greek Chicken Salad
- Stuff the chicken salad in warm pita bread or naan.
- Make a wrap using a flour tortilla.
- Serve it on top of mixed greens or chopped romaine lettuce.
- Make a chicken salad sandwich using crusty whole wheat or sourdough bread.
- Turn it into a bowl. Add the chicken salad on top of rice and include additional toppings like chopped tomatoes and cucumber.
- Toast a piece of bread, then add a few slices of avocado and top it with the tzatziki chicken salad.
Storage
The tzatziki chicken salad will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If there’s extra liquid in the leftovers don’t be surprised, the cucumber will continue to release liquid. Just stir everything together again.
I don’t recommend freezing the chicken salad because of all the dairy and the cucumber in it.
More Greek Inspired Recipes
If you love the bright and fresh flavors that Greek and Mediterranean food have, then you’ll love these recipes.
My Greek salads never disappoint! Try this Greek Chickpea Salad with Tzatziki Dressing or Greek Salmon Salad.
One pan dinners are a family favorite and this Greek Meatballs and Orzo Skillet has tons of positive reviews.
No one can resist a good pasta salad in the summer and this Greek Orzo Salad and Greek Chicken Pasta Salad are always a hit!
Did you make this Tzatziki chicken salad? I’d love if you’d leave a recipe rating and review below.
Tzatziki Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Tzatziki
- 1 cup plain greek yogurt, 2% or whole milk Greek yogurt are best
- 1 cup shredded cucumber, excess liquid squeezed out with paper towels
- 2-4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Chicken Salad
- 4 cups shredded chicken
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives, chopped
- 3 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl add the ingredients for the tzatziki. Stir together until well combined.
- Add in the remaining ingredients and stir until they’re coated in the tzatziki. Taste for seasoning and add additional salt, pepper or lemon juice depending on your taste.
- Serve the chicken salad in pitas, on top of romaine or mixed greens, or any of the suggestions listed above.
Notes
- I find that using the large holes on a box grater works best for shredding the cucumber.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was super delicious! Tzatziki sauce is one of my favorites so I was intrigued when I saw this recipe. I did add about a tablespoon of red wine vinegar to the tzatziki sauce, but other than that I made it as written! My toddler really liked this too! I will definitely be adding this to my lunch rotation.
Thanks so much for trying it out Megan! Happy to hear you both liked it.
This hit the spot. I had my own leftover tzaziki and chicken in the freezer. I used your salad ingredients and made a Delicious lunch for friends with almost no work. Thanks for the inspiration! I never would have thought of this.
Glad you enjoyed it!
It’s so nice to find recipies that are easy and not expensive to make.
Tzatziki is one of my favorite sauces and it works so well as a base for this chicken salad!