Description

This Fresh Cucumber Chicken Salad is a simple, crunchy, and refreshing dish that’s ready in minutes. Featuring tender shredded chicken combined with crisp cucumber, red onion, and cherry tomatoes, all tossed in a creamy, tangy dressing made with Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar. Perfect for a light lunch or quick dinner, this salad is both flavorful and satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or cubed (leftover rotisserie chicken works great!)
1 large cucumber, thinly sliced or diced
1/4 cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional for extra flavor)
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional for extra color)
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional for a fresh, herby flavor)

Dressing Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for extra richness)
2 tablespoons Greek yogurt (or sour cream, for creaminess)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Start by cooking or shredding your chicken. If you’re using rotisserie chicken, simply shred it into bite-sized pieces to ensure easy mixing and eating.
Slice the Vegetables: Thinly slice the cucumber and red onion if using. Halve the cherry tomatoes to add burst of color and flavor to the salad.
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and garlic powder. Season the dressing with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
Combine the Salad: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken with the cucumber slices, red onion, and halved tomatoes (if using). Add the chopped fresh parsley and olive oil (if using) for added flavor and richness. Pour the prepared dressing over the mixture and gently toss everything together until evenly coated.
Serve or Chill: Once the salad is tossed, serve it immediately for a fresh crunch. Alternatively, you can chill it in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes to let the flavors meld together beautifully before serving.

Notes

Use leftover rotisserie chicken for quick preparation and extra flavor.
The red onion and cherry tomatoes are optional but add great texture and color.
For a dairy-free option, substitute Greek yogurt with a plant-based alternative or omit entirely and add more olive oil.
Chilling the salad before serving enhances the flavor melding.
Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper.