🥗 Creamy Mediterranean Chicken Salad
🌿 Description
This Mediterranean-style chicken salad is light yet satisfying, loaded with tender chicken, crisp vegetables, fresh dill, and a creamy yogurt-based dressing. It balances richness with brightness—thanks to lemon, herbs, and crunchy celery—making it ideal for warm weather lunches, mezze spreads, or healthy dinners. Think classic chicken salad meets Mediterranean flavors.
🛒 Ingredients (Serves 4–6)
Chicken Salad
-
3 cups cooked chicken breast, diced or shredded
-
2 celery stalks, chopped
-
½ red bell pepper, diced
-
¼ red onion, finely chopped (optional but recommended)
-
2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
-
2 tbsp fresh parsley (optional)
Creamy Mediterranean Dressing
-
½ cup Greek yogurt (full-fat preferred)
-
¼ cup mayonnaise
-
1–2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
-
1 tbsp olive oil
-
1 garlic clove, minced or grated
-
½ tsp dried oregano
-
Salt & black pepper, to taste
Optional Mediterranean Add-ins
-
¼ cup chopped cucumber
-
¼ cup kalamata olives, sliced
-
2 tbsp capers
-
Crumbled feta (for topping or mixing in)
👩🍳 Instructions
-
Prepare the chicken
Cook chicken by baking, boiling, or grilling. Let cool, then dice or shred. -
Mix the salad base
In a large bowl, combine chicken, celery, red pepper, onion, dill, and parsley. -
Make the dressing
In a separate bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, mayo, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. -
Combine & chill
Pour dressing over the chicken mixture and gently fold until evenly coated. -
Taste & adjust
Add more lemon, salt, or herbs as needed. Chill for at least 30 minutes for best flavor.
🥙 How to Serve
-
Stuffed into pita bread or wraps
-
Over mixed greens
-
With crackers or toasted sourdough
-
As part of a Mediterranean mezze platter
❓ Q & A
Q: Can I make this healthier?
A: Yes! Use all Greek yogurt and skip the mayo, or reduce it to 1–2 tablespoons.
Q: What’s the best chicken to use?
A: Roasted or grilled chicken adds the most flavor, but rotisserie chicken works great.
Q: Can I make it dairy-free?
A: Substitute Greek yogurt with dairy-free yogurt or use olive-oil-based mayo.
Q: How long does it keep?
A: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Q: Can I make it ahead?
A: Absolutely—this salad actually tastes better after a few hours in the fridge.
Q: Is this keto or low-carb?
A: Yes! Just skip sweet add-ins and serve it without bread.
Q: What herbs can I swap for dill?
A: Fresh mint, basil, or chives work beautifully.
