Capture the flavor of the Mediterranean in a salad with this healthy and satisfying Greek Chicken Salad with Tzatziki Dressing.
![A table featuring three plates of Greek Chicken Salad, a lemon half, a small wooden bowl of salt, and a bowl of creamy dressing with a spoon.](https://picniclifestyle.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Greek-Chicken-Salad.jpg)
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This salad is easy to make and loaded with fresh, homemade goodness. It’s also very healthy, even though it’s a robust, creamy salad.
This is one of my favorite summer picnic salads because it’s so fresh. You can make it in advance, and it works just as well as a chicken salad wrap as a stand-alone salad–it’s one of my most versatile picnic salads. This salad pairs beautifully with my Cucumber Shrimp Bites.
Ingredient Notes
- Tzatziki: You can use store-bought Tzatziki, but this homemade tzatziki recipe is so easy that it’s worth the effort.
- Romaine Lettuce: Romaine brings a lovely crunch and texture to the salad and holds up well to the dressing. If you must substitute, choose a crisp lettuce that won’t wilt or get soggy.
- Garlic: I use garlic powder in the chicken marinade. You can also use freshly minced garlic. One clove should be enough.
- Dill: Fresh dill will always be best, but dried dill will work if you can’t get fresh.
- Kalamata olives: Black olives can be used instead, but they will have a much milder taste. You may want to pit the olives before adding them to the salad.
See my recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements and notes.
Recipe Variations and Substitutions
- Marinating Time: You can extend the marinating time for the chicken to an hour or, preferably overnight, to enhance the flavor and the chicken’s tenderness.
- Serving Suggestions: Like my Chicken Pesto Wrap, you can serve this Greek Chicken Salad rolled in pita bread for a different presentation and an easy to eat solution for picnics.
- Add More Vegetables: You can switch up or add more vegetables to this salad. I like to add roasted red peppers for extra Mediterranean flair.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken: Place the chicken breast in a bowl and coat well with the oregano, garlic powder, salt, olive oil, and half a lemon juice. Set aside to rest for 10-13 minutes.
Step 2: Make the Tzatziki Dressing: In a small bowl, mix Greek yogurt, minced garlic, half of the finely chopped dill, half tablespoon of olive oil, and salt to taste. Mix well and refrigerate while you prepare the rest of the salad.
Step 3: Cook The Chicken: Heat a grill pan (you can also use a BBQ grill) and reduce to medium heat. Sear the chicken breast on one side, then reduce heat and cook for 6-8 minutes. Turn to the other side and cook until the meat is cooked through.
Set aside to cool slightly before adding to the salad.
Step 4: Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, add coarsely chopped Romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, onion, cucumber, and the rest of the dill. Mix in salt to taste, 1½ tablespoons of olive oil, and the juice of half a lemon.
Step 5: Assemble the Salad: Slice the cooled chicken into strips and gently toss it through the salad with the Kalamata olives.
Step 6: Drizzle with the Tzatziki dressing and gently toss gently again.
Salad Tips
- Cool Your Chicken: Make sure the chicken breast has cooled before you slice it and add it to the salad. Hot chicken will wilt your salad vegetables.
- Make Ahead: If you want a make-ahead salad, the chicken and tzatziki can be prepared a day in advance to save time . You can also prepare and store the raw salad ingredients in an airtight container.
- Storage: The salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Store the dressing separately to keep the salad from becoming soggy and ensure the salad stays fresh.
Related Recipes
Did you try this Greek Chicken Salad with Tzatziki?
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Greek Chicken Salad with Tzatziki
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder - or 1 clove of fresh garlic, minced
- 1 lemon – juice only
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
Tzatziki Dressing
- 2 cups Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ lemon – juice only
- 2 garlic cloves - minced
- 2-3 tablespoons Fresh dill - finely chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Salad
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes - halved
- 1 cucumber - sliced
- 1 medium red onion - thinly sliced
- 1 Romaine lettuce - washed and roughly ton into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup Kalamata olives
- 2 tablespoons Fresh dill - roughly chopped
Instructions
Prepare the Chicken
- Place the chicken breast in a bowl and coat well with the oregano, garlic powder, salt, olive oil, and half a lemon juice. Set aside to rest for 10-13 minutes.
Make the Tzatziki Dressing
- Mix Greek yogurt, minced garlic, half of the finely chopped dill, half a tablespoon of olive oil, and salt to taste in a small bowl. Mix well and refrigerate while you prepare the rest of the salad.
Cook The Chicken
- Heat a grill pan (you can also use a BBQ grill) and reduce to medium heat. Sear the chicken breast on one side, then reduce heat and cook for 6-8 minutes. Turn to the other side and cook until the meat is cooked through. Set aside to cool slightly before adding to the salad.
Prepare the Salad
- Add coarsely chopped Romaine lettuce, halved cherry tomatoes, onion, cucumber, and the rest of the dill in a large bowl. Mix in salt to taste, 1½ tablespoons of olive oil, and the juice of half a lemon.
Assemble the Salad
- Slice the cooled chicken into strips and gently toss it through the salad with the Kalamata olives.
- Drizzle with the Tzatziki dressing and gently toss gently again.
Notes
- Marinating Time: To enhance the flavors and tenderness of the chicken, you can extend the marinating time to at least 1 hour or preferably overnight.
- Serving Suggestions: Just like my Chicken Pesto Wrap, this Greek Chicken Salad is versatile. You can serve it rolled in pita bread for a different presentation, making it an easy-to-eat solution for picnics, or enjoy it as a standalone dish.
- Add More Vegetables: You can switch up or add more vegetables to this salad. I like to add roasted red peppers for extra Mediterranean flair.
- Cool Your Chicken: Make sure the chicken breast has cooled before you slice it and add it to the salad. Hot chicken will wilt your salad vegetables.
- Make Ahead: If you want a make-ahead salad, the chicken and tzatziki can be prepared a day in advance to save time . You can also prepare and store the raw salad ingredients in an airtight container.
- Storage: The salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Store the dressing separately to keep the salad from becoming soggy and ensure the salad stays fresh.
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