Name: Chicken Tzatziki
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts; 3 tablespoons olive oil; 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice; 2 teaspoons lemon zest; 4 garlic cloves, minced; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 1 teaspoon ground cumin; ½ teaspoon paprika; Salt and black pepper to taste; 1 ½ cups plain thick yogurt (preferably strained or Greek-style); 1 medium cucumber, grated and squeezed to remove excess liquid; 2 garlic cloves, finely minced; 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil; 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill; Salt and black pepper to taste; Chopped parsley or dill for garnish; Warm pita bread or flatbread; Sliced tomatoes, red onions, or olives; Lemon wedges

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 teaspoons lemon zest
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Tzatziki Sauce:

1 ½ cups plain thick yogurt (preferably strained or Greek-style)
1 medium cucumber, grated and squeezed to remove excess liquid
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
Salt and black pepper to taste

Optional Garnishes and Sides:

Chopped parsley or dill for garnish
Warm pita bread or flatbread
Sliced tomatoes, red onions, or olives
Lemon wedges

Instructions

1. Prepare the chicken marinade

In a large bowl or zip-top bag, mix olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper
Add chicken breasts and coat evenly with the marinade
Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, ideally 3–4 hours for deeper flavor

2. Make the tzatziki sauce

Grate the cucumber and squeeze out excess moisture using a cheesecloth or kitchen towel
In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, salt, and pepper
Stir well until fully mixed
Chill in the refrigerator while the chicken marinates to let flavors develop

3. Cook the chicken

Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat
Remove chicken from marinade and shake off excess
Cook chicken for about 6–7 minutes on each side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C)
Let rest for 5 minutes before slicing to retain juices

4. Assemble and serve

Slice the chicken into strips or leave whole as preferred
Plate with a generous spoonful of tzatziki sauce
Serve with warm pita, salad, or grains for a complete meal
Garnish with fresh herbs and lemon wedges if desired

Prep Time: 25 minutes (plus marinating time)
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with 2–3 tablespoons of tzatziki
Calories: 360
Sugar: 3g
Fat: 21g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 35g