Image Credit : You can Cook
Ingredients:
– **Tzatziki Sauce:**
– 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
– ½ cucumber, grated
– 2 to 3 garlic cloves, pressed
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
– 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
– Salt and pepper to taste
– **Salad:**
– 2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
– 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
– 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
– ½ cup pepperoncini peppers, sliced
– ½ cup Kalamata olives, sliced
– ¼ cup red onion, chopped
– ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
### Directions:
#### 1. Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce
Let’s get this creamy, dreamy tzatziki sauce ready first:
– **Gather the Ingredients:** Make sure you have your Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, olive oil, and fresh dill handy.
– **Grate the Cucumber:** Using a box grater, grate ½ cucumber. Then, place the grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze out the excess moisture.
– **Mix it Up:** In a medium bowl, combine 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons of plain Greek yogurt, the grated cucumber, 2 to 3 pressed garlic cloves, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh dill.
– **Season to Taste:** Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Stir until everything is well combined and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
– **Chill:** Pop the tzatziki in the fridge while you prepare the rest of the salad to let the flavors meld together.
#### 2. Assemble the Salad
Now, onto the fresh and crunchy salad:
– **Prep the Veggies:** Chop 2 cups of romaine lettuce, halve 1 cup of grape tomatoes, slice ½ cup of pepperoncini peppers, slice ½ cup of Kalamata olives, and chop ¼ cup of red onion.
– **Combine:** In a large salad bowl, toss together the chopped romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, pepperoncini peppers, Kalamata olives, and red onion.
#### 3. Add the Chicken
Time to layer on some protein:
– **Layer the Chicken:** Evenly distribute 2 cups of chopped, cooked chicken over the salad base.
#### 4. Dress with Tzatziki
Let’s bring it all together with our homemade tzatziki:
– **Dollop Generously:** Spoon the chilled tzatziki sauce over the top of the salad and chicken. You can add as much or as little as you like, but be generous for maximum flavor.
#### 5. Garnish
The finishing touches:
– **Sprinkle the Feta:** Crumble ½ cup of feta cheese over the top of the salad. This adds a lovely tangy flavor that complements the tzatziki perfectly.
### Tips for an Amazing Tzatziki Chicken Salad:
– **Extra Flavor:** For an extra burst of flavor, marinate your cooked chicken in a bit of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and oregano before adding it to the salad.
– **Serving Suggestion:** Serve this salad with warm pita bread or as a filling for a pita sandwich.
– **Make Ahead:** This salad is great for meal prep. Just keep the tzatziki and the salad separate until you’re ready to eat to keep everything fresh and crisp.
Conclusion
There you have it—a vibrant, fresh, and delicious Tzatziki Chicken Salad that’s easy to whip up and sure to please! Whether you’re enjoying it for lunch, dinner, or a tasty picnic treat, this salad is bursting with Mediterranean flavors. Enjoy your culinary adventure and savor every bite!
