Description
A vibrant, Mediterranean-inspired salad featuring grilled chicken marinated in garlic and lemon, tossed with cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, olives, and tender pasta or quinoa, then topped with cool, creamy tzatziki. It’s fresh, filling, and perfect for a weeknight dinner or summer lunch.
Ingredients
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons olive oil (for marinade)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 garlic cloves minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
0.5 teaspoon salt
0.25 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups cooked rotini pasta or quinoa
1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
1 cup cucumber diced
0.5 cup kalamata olives sliced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
0.5 cup tzatziki sauce
Optional: 0.25 cup green olives or pickled peppers sliced
Optional: extra lemon juice or olive oil for drizzling
Optional: pinch of chili flakes or extra oregano for garnish
Instructions
1. In a bowl or zip-top bag, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add chicken breasts and marinate for at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours).
2. Cook rotini pasta or quinoa according to package instructions. Drain, rinse with cold water, and set aside.
3. Heat grill or grill pan to medium-high. Grill chicken for 5–6 minutes per side until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
4. Prepare vegetables: halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber, slice olives, and chop parsley.
5. In a large bowl or plates, layer pasta or quinoa, grilled chicken, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and parsley.
6. Spoon tzatziki over the top.
7. Garnish with lemon juice, olive oil, chili flakes, or oregano if desired.
8. Serve immediately or keep components separate for meal prep.
Notes
Let the chicken sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before grilling for even cooking.
Store leftovers with components separated to keep the texture fresh.
Use high-quality tzatziki or make your own for the most flavor-packed experience.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: Greek chicken salad, grilled chicken, tzatziki bowl