Ready to shake up your salad routine? This Cucumber Chicken Salad Recipe is delightfully fresh, crisp, and wholesome—a real-meal salad that’s perfect for lunch, meal prep, or fuss-free entertaining. Combining juicy shredded chicken, cool cucumbers, tangy Greek yogurt, and fragrant herbs, each bite is creamy and crunchy all at once. You’ll love how this dish comes together in just minutes, with a burst of flavor that tastes like sunshine in a bowl. Whether you serve it on toast, lettuce leaves, or all on its own, this Cucumber Chicken Salad Recipe is the ultimate answer to your craving for something easy, light, and entirely satisfying!

Cucumber Chicken Salad Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Cucumber Chicken Salad Recipe is how it transforms simple, everyday ingredients into something truly special. Each component brings its own touch—think juicy chicken, crisp cucumber, and zesty lemon—so you get a balance of flavors, color, and textures in every bite.

Cooked chicken breast (2 cups, shredded or diced): Using rotisserie or leftover grilled chicken makes this dish extra speedy.
Large cucumber (deseeded and diced): Adds cool, refreshing crunch and gorgeous color to the salad.
Red onion (1/4 cup, finely chopped): For a little sharpness and pretty purple flecks throughout.
Plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise (1/4 cup): Creates a creamy dressing without weighing things down; Greek yogurt keeps it extra healthy.
Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Adds a subtle fruitiness and silkiness to the dressing.
Lemon juice (1 tablespoon): Brightens up the mix and brings all the flavors together.
Dijon mustard (1 teaspoon): For a gentle kick and depth in the dressing.
Fresh dill or parsley (1 tablespoon, chopped): Lifts everything with a pop of herbal freshness.
Salt and black pepper to taste: Don’t forget these little essentials for rounding out the flavors!
Optional toppings: Crumbled feta, cherry tomatoes, or avocado can be sprinkled over for extra interest and richness.

How to Make Cucumber Chicken Salad Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Together the Creamy Dressing

In a large mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt or mayonnaise, olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a good pinch of salt and black pepper. Whisk until super smooth and glossy—this is your creamy, tangy base that will bring everything together.

Step 2: Add the Chicken and Veggies

Toss in the shredded (or diced) chicken, crisp cucumber, finely chopped red onion, and your fresh dill or parsley. Use a large spoon or spatula to gently mix everything until each piece is well coated in the dressing. The combination of flavors will already smell amazing!

Step 3: Taste and Adjust

Now’s the time to taste. Feel free to add a little more salt, pepper, or even a splash more lemon to liven things up. If you’re using feta, cherry tomatoes, or avocado, gently fold them in for an extra layer of flavor and color.

Step 4: Chill for Best Flavor

For the tastiest version of this Cucumber Chicken Salad Recipe, cover the bowl and pop it in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes. This quick chill lets everything meld together—and makes each spoonful extra refreshing.

How to Serve Cucumber Chicken Salad Recipe

Garnishes

To give your salad a final flourish, add a sprinkle of fresh herbs, a few grinds of black pepper, or a scattering of crumbled feta. Sliced cherry tomatoes or creamy avocado make it even more inviting. These little touches are like the jewelry of the dish—simple but dazzling.

Side Dishes

This Cucumber Chicken Salad Recipe is fantastic as a meal on its own, but you can also pair it with warm pita, toasted sourdough, or a handful of crispy crackers. For a light lunch, serve it alongside a simple green salad or a bowl of chilled soup. The flavors are versatile enough to go with just about anything.

Creative Ways to Present

Get playful with presentation! Try stuffing the salad into butter lettuce leaves for easy handheld wraps, pile it high on multigrain toast for an open-faced sandwich, or serve it in hollowed-out avocados for a show-stopping brunch centerpiece. Individual jars are great for picnics or meal prep.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This salad is meal-prep magic—it keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The flavors deepen and mingle overnight, so don’t be surprised if it tastes even better the next day.

Freezing

While technically safe to freeze, creams like yogurt and mayo can separate once thawed, making the salad a bit watery. It’s best to enjoy this Cucumber Chicken Salad Recipe fresh from the fridge for optimal creaminess and crunch.

Reheating

No need to reheat—this salad is meant to be served chilled or at cool room temperature. If you prefer it less cold, let the salad sit out for ten minutes before serving for the flavors to bloom.

FAQs

Can I use a different protein instead of chicken?

Absolutely! Turkey, canned tuna, or cooked shrimp all work beautifully as substitutes in this Cucumber Chicken Salad Recipe. Just keep the quantities and bite size consistent for the best results.

How can I make this salad dairy-free?

Swap the Greek yogurt for a dairy-free alternative like coconut yogurt, or simply use a high-quality mayonnaise. Either option keeps the dressing creamy without the dairy.

What’s the best way to prep the cucumber?

To avoid extra wateriness, scoop out the seeds using a spoon before dicing. If your cucumber skin is thick, consider peeling it for a perfectly tender crunch.

Can I make this Cucumber Chicken Salad Recipe ahead for a party?

Definitely! Prepare everything up to a day in advance, but hold off on folding in sensitive add-ins like avocado or tomatoes until just before serving to keep things fresh and vibrant.

Is there a low-carb way to serve this salad?

For a low-carb, gluten-free option, spoon the salad onto crisp lettuce leaves or cucumber rounds. It’s also fantastic on its own as a protein-packed snack.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a meal that’s light, nourishing, speedy, and full of flavor, this Cucumber Chicken Salad Recipe has you covered. Give it a go—you’ll be surprised how quickly it disappears from the bowl, and you just might find it becomes your own go-to favorite, too!

Cucumber Chicken Salad Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 28 reviews

Author: Emma
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This refreshing Cucumber Chicken Salad is a perfect blend of flavors and textures. Tender chicken, crisp cucumbers, and zesty Greek yogurt dressing come together to create a light and satisfying dish that’s ideal for a quick lunch or a healthy dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Salad:

2 cups cooked chicken breast (shredded or diced)
1 large cucumber (deseeded and diced)
1/4 cup red onion (finely chopped)

For the Dressing:

1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt or mayonnaise
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon fresh dill or parsley (chopped)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional: crumbled feta, cherry tomatoes, or avocado for serving

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Instructions

Prepare the Dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt (or mayo), olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and a pinch of salt and pepper until smooth.
Combine Ingredients: Add the cooked chicken, diced cucumber, red onion, and fresh herbs. Mix gently until everything is well coated.
Adjust Seasoning and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Chill for 15–20 minutes before serving for best flavor. Serve on its own, in a lettuce wrap, on toast, or with crackers.