Forget boring salads. This Tzatziki Chicken Salad Bowl is a vibrant, flavor-packed meal that will transport you straight to the Mediterranean. It’s loaded with juicy shredded chicken, crisp vegetables, and a creamy, homemade tzatziki sauce that ties everything together. Perfect for a healthy lunch, a light dinner, or your weekly meal prep, this recipe is as easy to make as it is delicious. We’re skipping the store-bought stuff and whipping up a simple, fresh tzatziki that makes all the difference.
This bowl is endlessly customizable, packed with protein, and brimming with fresh, wholesome ingredients. It’s the kind of meal that leaves you feeling satisfied, energized, and ready to take on your day. Let’s dive in and create a truly unforgettable Greek-inspired dish.
Why You’ll Love This Tzatziki Chicken Salad Bowl Recipe
- Incredibly Flavorful: The combination of seasoned chicken, fresh herbs, and that tangy, creamy homemade tzatziki sauce is simply irresistible.
- Healthy & Wholesome: Packed with lean protein, fresh vegetables, and healthy fats, this bowl is a nutritional powerhouse that doesn’t compromise on taste.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: All the components can be prepared ahead of time, making assembly quick and easy for busy weeknights or grab-and-go lunches.
- Completely Customizable: Easily swap the grains, add your favorite veggies, or adjust the seasonings to make this bowl perfectly yours.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a simple breakdown of what you’ll need to gather for this delicious recipe. The ingredients are grouped for clarity, making your prep work a breeze.
For the Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
- Greek Yogurt: Use full-fat, plain Greek yogurt for the richest, creamiest texture.
- Cucumber: One English cucumber, grated and squeezed of excess moisture. This is key to a thick, not watery, sauce.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor.
- Lemon Juice: A squeeze of fresh lemon juice brightens up the entire sauce.
- Fresh Dill: Finely chopped fresh dill is essential for that classic tzatziki taste.
- Olive Oil: A drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil for richness.
- Salt & Pepper: To taste.
For the Chicken & Salad Base
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, poached or baked and then shredded. A rotisserie chicken also works in a pinch!
- Red Onion: Thinly sliced for a sharp, crunchy bite.
- Celery: Finely chopped, adding a refreshing crunch.
For Assembling the Bowls
- Quinoa: Cooked quinoa serves as a fluffy, protein-rich base. You can also use brown rice, farro, or even cauliflower rice.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Halved for sweet, juicy bursts of flavor.
- Kalamata Olives: Halved, for a salty, briny kick.
- Feta Cheese: Crumbled for a creamy, tangy finish.
- Lettuce: Chopped romaine or mixed greens for a fresh, crisp foundation.
How to Make the Perfect Tzatziki Chicken Salad Bowl
Follow these simple steps to create a restaurant-quality bowl right in your own kitchen. We’ll start with the sauce to let the flavors meld, then move on to the chicken and final assembly.
Step 1: Make the Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
Start by grating the cucumber into a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth. Squeeze it tightly over the sink to remove as much water as possible. In a medium bowl, combine the squeezed cucumber, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, chopped dill, and olive oil. Stir until everything is well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. For the best flavor, cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Step 2: Cook and Shred the Chicken
Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and a pinch of dried oregano. You can bake them at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through, or poach them in simmering water for about 15-20 minutes. Once cooked, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before shredding it with two forks.
Step 3: Combine the Chicken Salad
In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, sliced red onion, and chopped celery. Add about half of the prepared tzatziki sauce and stir until the chicken is evenly coated. You can add more sauce depending on how creamy you like your chicken salad.
Step 4: Assemble Your Bowls
Now for the fun part! Divide the chopped lettuce and cooked quinoa among four bowls. Top with a generous scoop of the tzatziki chicken salad. Arrange the halved cherry tomatoes and Kalamata olives around the chicken. Finish with a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese and an extra dollop of tzatziki sauce on top. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Results
- Don’t Skip Squeezing the Cucumber: This is the most important step for a thick and creamy tzatziki. Watery cucumber will lead to a runny sauce.
- Let the Sauce Rest: Allowing the tzatziki to sit in the fridge for at least 30 minutes gives the garlic and dill time to infuse the yogurt, resulting in a much more flavorful sauce.
- Use Quality Ingredients: With simple recipes like this, the quality of your ingredients really shines through. Use fresh herbs, good quality olive oil, and full-fat Greek yogurt for the best taste and texture. If you’re a fan of Greek flavors, you’ll love these flavorful Greek meatballs too!
Delicious Variations and Customizations
One of the best things about this Tzatziki Chicken Salad Bowl is how easy it is to adapt. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Add More Veggies: Feel free to add in other crisp vegetables like bell peppers, chickpeas, or sliced avocado. A refreshing beet and feta salad on the side would also be a wonderful pairing.
- Change the Grain: Not a fan of quinoa? This bowl works beautifully with brown rice, couscous, farro, or orzo. For a low-carb option, use cauliflower rice or extra greens.
- Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the chicken seasoning or a dash of hot sauce to the tzatziki for a little heat. The concept is similar to this delicious spicy yogurt marinated chicken.
Meal Prep and Storage Instructions
This bowl is a fantastic meal prep option. To keep everything fresh, store the components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The cooked chicken, quinoa, and tzatziki sauce will last for up to 4 days. The chopped vegetables should be stored separately to maintain their crunch. When you’re ready to eat, simply assemble a bowl for a quick and satisfying meal. For another great make-ahead meal, try this another healthy orzo dinner.
What to Serve with Your Greek Chicken Bowl
While this Tzatziki Chicken Salad Bowl is a complete meal on its own, it also pairs wonderfully with a side of warm pita bread for dipping into the extra tzatziki sauce. For a larger spread, you could serve it alongside other Mediterranean-inspired dishes like hummus, baba ghanoush, or a simple shepherd’s salad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, using a quality store-bought tzatziki sauce is a great shortcut. However, we highly recommend trying the homemade version when you have a moment—the fresh flavor is unbeatable!
When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, the assembled chicken salad will last for up to 4 days. For best results and to maintain the crunch of the vegetables, we recommend storing the components separately and assembling the bowl just before serving.
Yes, it is a very healthy meal! It’s packed with lean protein from the chicken, healthy fats from olive oil and Greek yogurt, and plenty of fiber and vitamins from the fresh vegetables and quinoa. It’s a well-balanced and nutritious dish.
This bowl is very versatile. You can easily substitute quinoa with other grains like brown rice, farro, or couscous. For a low-carb alternative, use a base of cauliflower rice or simply add extra chopped lettuce and greens.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are ideal for this recipe as they are lean and easy to shred. However, chicken thighs would also be delicious. For a quick and easy option, you can use a store-bought rotisserie chicken.
More Delicious Recipes To Try
If you loved this fresh and easy recipe, you’re in the right place. We’re passionate about creating delicious meals that are both satisfying and simple to prepare. We hope you feel inspired to get creative in the kitchen!
Thank you for trying this Tzatziki Chicken Salad Bowl! We’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Please leave a comment below with your feedback or any variations you tried. For more visual inspiration and recipes, be sure to follow us on Pinterest!
Tzatziki Chicken Salad Bowl
Tzatziki Chicken Salad Bowl (The Ultimate Healthy Recipe)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Grate the cucumber into a clean kitchen towel and squeeze tightly to remove all excess water. In a medium bowl, combine the squeezed cucumber, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, chopped dill, and olive oil. Stir well. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and oregano. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through. Let rest, then shred using two forks.
- In a large bowl, mix the shredded chicken, sliced red onion, and chopped celery. Add half of the tzatziki sauce and stir to coat evenly.
- Divide the romaine lettuce and cooked quinoa among four bowls. Top with the tzatziki chicken salad, cherry tomatoes, and Kalamata olives. Garnish with crumbled feta cheese and an extra dollop of tzatziki sauce.
Notes
Tip 2: A rotisserie chicken works great as a shortcut for this recipe.
Tip 3: Store components separately in the fridge for up to 4 days for easy meal prep.
