Greek Salad with Chicken

This Greek salad with chicken combines all the fresh flavors you expect from a Greek salad but makes it a hearty main course. We use a creamy, tangy yogurt dressing instead of a vinaigrette, which coats every piece of tender chicken and crisp vegetable.

This dish comes together quickly, especially if you use leftover chicken. It is a satisfying and refreshing option for lunch or a light dinner, and it holds up well in the refrigerator, making it a good choice for meal prep.

Why will you love Greek Salad with Chicken?

Creamy Yogurt Dressing: A simple dressing made with Greek yogurt provides a tangy flavor and creamy texture without using mayonnaise.

Uses Leftover Chicken: This recipe is a great way to use up leftover grilled or roasted chicken, turning it into a fast weeknight meal.

No-Cook Veggies: The fresh, crisp vegetables require only simple chopping, which keeps the prep time short and the salad refreshing.

Greek Salad with Chicken Ingredients

• Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs work well. You can also use leftover rotisserie chicken to save time.

• Greek Yogurt: Use plain, full-fat or low-fat Greek yogurt. Avoid any flavored varieties. Sour cream can be used as a substitute in a pinch.

• Cucumber: English cucumbers have thin skins and fewer seeds, so you don’t need to peel or seed them. A regular cucumber works too, just peel it first.

• Kalamata Olives: These add a salty, briny flavor. If you can’t find them, other Greek or black olives will work. Make sure they are pitted.

• Feta Cheese: Buying a block of feta packed in brine will give you the best flavor and texture. You can then crumble it yourself just before using.

Exact quantities are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Greek Salad with Chicken

Step 1: Cook the Chicken

First, prepare the chicken. Pat it dry and season it with salt and pepper. Cook it in a skillet with a little olive oil until it’s browned and fully cooked. Let it rest for a few minutes before chopping it into bite-sized pieces.

Step 2: Make the Creamy Dressing

While the chicken is cooking or resting, you can make the dressing. In a large mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, fresh lemon juice, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Whisk it all together until it’s smooth.

Step 3: Combine the Salad

Now it’s time to assemble the salad. Add the cooked chicken, chopped cucumber, tomato, and red onion to the bowl with the dressing. Gently stir everything together until it’s all well-coated.

Step 4: Finish and Chill

Finally, fold in the feta cheese and Kalamata olives. For the best flavor, cover the bowl and let the salad chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour. This helps all the flavors come together before you serve it.

What to Serve with Greek Salad with Chicken

This salad is a complete meal on its own. You can also serve it with warm pita bread or inside a wrap for a portable lunch.

Helpful Tricks for Greek Salad with Chicken

Ensure chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

To save time, you can use 3 cups of pre-cooked shredded or chopped chicken, like from a rotisserie chicken.

Chilling the salad for an hour is optional but highly recommended as it improves the flavor and texture.

Feel free to add other vegetables like chopped bell peppers or a handful of fresh spinach.

How to Store and Freeze Greek Salad with Chicken

Store leftover salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The vegetables may release some water over time. This salad does not freeze well.

Greek Salad with Chicken Recipe FAQs

Can I make this salad ahead of time?

Yes, this recipe is great for meal prep. You can store the finished salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, though the vegetables will be at their crispest on the first day.

Can I use a different dressing?

You can, but the creamy yogurt dressing is a key part of this specific recipe. If you prefer a lighter option, a simple lemon vinaigrette would also work well with these ingredients.

What other vegetables can I add?

This salad is very flexible. Chopped green or red bell peppers, canned chickpeas (rinsed and drained), or chopped romaine lettuce would all be good additions.

Greek Salad with Chicken

Tender grilled chicken, crisp cucumber, and tangy feta cheese are tossed in a creamy lemon-yogurt dressing.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine Greek-inspired

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, 450 g
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt plus more for seasoning chicken
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper plus more for seasoning chicken
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 120 g
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 30 ml
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 English cucumber chopped
• 1 large tomato seeded and chopped
• 1/2 medium red onion finely chopped
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese 75 g
• 1/4 cup pitted Kalamata olives halved, 40 g

Instructions

 

• Pat the chicken breasts dry and season them with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
• The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) on an instant-read thermometer. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes before chopping into bite-sized pieces.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, parsley, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper to create the dressing.
• Add the chopped chicken, cucumber, tomato, and red onion to the bowl with the dressing.
• Gently stir until all the ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.
• Fold in the crumbled feta cheese and halved Kalamata olives.
• For best results, cover the salad and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld. Serve chilled.

Notes

Ensure chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

To save time, you can use 3 cups of pre-cooked shredded or chopped chicken, like from a rotisserie chicken.

Chilling the salad for an hour is optional but highly recommended as it improves the flavor and texture.

Feel free to add other vegetables like chopped bell peppers or a handful of fresh spinach.

Keyword chicken salad, easy lunch, greek salad, greek salad with chicken, yogurt dressing