Description
Mediterranean chicken salad celebrates fresh flavors and Greek-inspired ingredients with tender grilled chicken nestled among crisp vegetables. Cool tzatziki sauce drizzled over the plate creates a perfect harmony of zesty herbs and creamy textures you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 2 cups diced cooked chicken breast
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Vegetables and Fruits:
- 1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Herbs, Spices, and Dressing Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) chopped fresh dill
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Chop cooked chicken into bite-sized cubes, ensuring uniform pieces for consistent flavor distribution.
- Slice cherry tomatoes and cucumber into delicate, uniform segments to enhance visual appeal and texture.
- Finely dice red onion to provide sharp, aromatic undertones without overwhelming the salad’s delicate balance.
- Incorporate kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese, creating a rich Mediterranean flavor profile.
- Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant, herbaceous essence throughout the mixture.
- Create vinaigrette by whisking extra virgin olive oil with a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Gently drizzle dressing over salad, carefully tossing ingredients to ensure even coating without bruising delicate components.
- Prepare tzatziki by straining excess liquid from grated cucumber to maintain creamy consistency.
- Blend strained cucumber with thick Greek yogurt, minced garlic, fresh dill, and a splash of lemon juice.
- Season tzatziki with salt and pepper, adjusting to taste and achieving a harmonious blend of tangy and herbal notes.
- Plate salad and crown with a generous dollop of chilled tzatziki, serving immediately for optimal freshness and temperature.
Notes
- Customize the chicken’s flavor by marinating it in lemon, oregano, and garlic before cooking for an extra Mediterranean twist.
- Swap the chicken with grilled tofu or chickpeas to create a vegetarian-friendly version that maintains the dish’s protein content.
- Reduce calories by using low-fat Greek yogurt and selecting a lighter olive oil for the tzatziki and dressing.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time to make this salad a quick weeknight meal, storing components separately to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 232 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 360 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 7 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg