Ingredients
Scale
- 2 medium chicken breasts (about 1 pound), boneless and skinless
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat or 2% works best)
- 1 medium cucumber, peeled and grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
- 4 cups mixed salad greens (romaine, arugula, or your favorite mix)
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional but highly recommended)
- Fresh parsley or mint leaves for garnish (optional)
Substitution tips: If you don’t have Greek yogurt on hand, you can use plain regular yogurt strained through a cheesecloth to thicken it. No fresh dill? Try fresh parsley or a pinch of dried Italian seasoning. For a dairy-free version, swap yogurt for coconut yogurt and skip the feta.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Rub them with olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper on both sides.
- Place the chicken breasts on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
- While the chicken is baking, prepare the tzatziki sauce. Squeeze the excess water out of the grated cucumber using a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to avoid sogginess.
- In a medium bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper. Mix well and taste—adjust seasoning as needed. Set aside to chill.
- Wash and dry your salad greens. Place them in a large serving bowl or divide among plates.
- Top the greens with sliced chicken, diced tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion.
- Drizzle the tzatziki sauce generously over the chicken and salad.
- Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and fresh herbs on top, if using.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the fresh, creamy goodness!
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that resting the chicken after baking keeps it juicy and tender. Rushing this step has been my downfall more than once—especially when the kids were extra hungry and impatient!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Tzatziki Chicken Salad, recipe, cooking, food
