Creamy Cucumber Chicken Salad (Printable View)

A refreshing, protein-packed salad with tender chicken, crisp cucumbers, and creamy dill yogurt dressing.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 cups cucumber, thinly sliced (approximately 1 large cucumber)
03 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely sliced

→ Dressing

04 - 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
05 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, optional for enhanced creaminess
06 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, finely chopped, or 2 teaspoons dried dill
07 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
08 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
09 - 1 garlic clove, minced
10 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Garnish

11 - Extra fresh dill
12 - Sliced green onions

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, mayonnaise if using, dill, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and black pepper. Whisk until the mixture achieves a smooth, creamy consistency.
02 - Add the cooked chicken, sliced cucumber, and red onion to the bowl containing the dressing. Toss gently until all components are evenly coated.
03 - Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed to achieve desired flavor balance.
04 - Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld and develop.
05 - Transfer the chilled salad to serving dishes and garnish with extra dill and green onions. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The creamy dressing feels indulgent but comes mostly from protein-rich Greek yogurt, so you stay full for hours without that heavy post-meal slump
  • Everything comes together in one bowl with minimal chopping, making it perfect for those nights when cooking feels like too much effort
02 -
  • This salad releases water as it sits, especially from the cucumbers, so give it a quick stir before serving and add a splash more yogurt if it seems too loose
  • The garlic gets stronger the longer this sits, so if you're making it ahead, consider using only half the amount initially and adding more right before serving
03 -
  • If your yogurt feels too thick, thin it with a teaspoon of water or olive oil until it reaches dressing consistency, which helps it coat everything more evenly
  • Letting the salad rest for at least an hour before serving makes a noticeable difference in flavor development, the onion mellows and the dill permeates every bite
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