Easy Summer Recipe: Greek Chicken Salad

Happy Wednesday, friends! I don’t know about you, but it’s been a hot one in Houston this week. Our garage AC recently needed to be replaced, and I’m so glad to have a fully functioning AC in there just in time for summer. We’ve been walking the dogs later and later in the evenings so the pavement has time to cool down. The heat makes me carving some light, fresh dinners. I’ll save those hearty, warm dinners for the fall! One of my favorite types of food is Mediterranean. So, I figured I would recreate a greek salad and add in some chicken. And, ya’ll. I don’t want to pat myself on the back, but this chicken is some of the best chicken I’ve ever made to put on a salad. Let’s get right into it….

What you’ll need: Greek Chicken Salad

Here’s a list of ingredient for the chicken marinade:

• 1/4 cup of greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon of oregano
• Juice from 1 lemon
• 3 cloves of garlic (minced)
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon of pepper
• 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar
• 1 pound of boneless, skinless breast tenders

Greek Salad ingredients

• 2 cucumber sliced
• 1/2 red onion sliced
• 1 pint of cherry tomatoes sliced
• Feta cheese

Salad Dressing Ingredients

• Juice from half a lemon
• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 clove of minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon oregano

Any extras you will need:

• Tzatziki sauce (I just bought a tzatziki ranch from the store)

Step by step instructions: Greek Chicken Salad

I know this sounds like a lot of little steps, but it’s super easy, I promise. And, if you buy your own tzatziki – instead of trying to make your own, it’s even easier. Let’s get started with the chicken.

1. Make your chicken marinade. Mix together the greek yogurt, lemon, oregano, garlic, salt, pepper and red wine vinegar together.
2. Grab a freezer bag and place your chicken in the freezer bag.
3. Pour your marinade in.
4. Now, here’s what separates me from the culinary greats of the world 🙂 I’m sure I was supposed to marinate my chicken for several hours. But, your girl didn’t have several hours, and I quite honestly didn’t think ahead. Let’s just say that I gave it a generous five-minutes in that bag before putting it on the stove. And – they turned out fine. So, if you have time to make your marinade in advance – great. Let your chicken soak as long as possible. If not, five minutes will be just fine.
5. Pour a tablespoon of olive oil in the pan over medium heat. Add your chicken. Cook on each side for 4 minutes, and you will have the perfect chicken (that’s why I use the breast tenders – because they aren’t as thick as chicken breasts – and they are perfect for salads)

While your chicken is cooking, prep your salad.

1. Chop your cucumbers
2. Now it time to slice your red onion
3. Slice those cherry tomatoes. It will look like this

After you’re done chopping, your chicken will still be cooking, so you can make your salad dressing:

1. Mix together your lemon, olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano and garlic.
2. Pour over your salad. It will look like this.

Now, it’s time to prep your salad. You can stick those chicken tenders right on top – or you can slice them. I was feeling’ fancy, so I sliced the chicken. Add some salad, some feta cheese, chicken and top with your tzatziki dressing.

Ya’ll – this was the perfect summer dish. The chicken was so incredibly delicious that I can see myself making this chicken to have in my fridge for a quick lunch salad during the week! This only takes half an hour from start to finish – and tastes just like what you would get in a Greek restaurant. Give it a try and let me know what you think. I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday!!!