🥗 Creamy Mediterranean Chicken & Broccoli Salad
Ingredients
For the chicken:
- 500 g boneless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
For the salad:
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup black or green olives, sliced
- ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
For the creamy dressing:
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1–2 tbsp water, if needed to thin
Step 1: Prepare the broccoli
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the broccoli and cook for 2–3 minutes, just until it becomes bright green and slightly tender.
Immediately drain and rinse with cold water. This stops the cooking process and keeps the broccoli crisp.
Tip: Don’t overcook the broccoli—you want it to have a little crunch.
Step 2: Season the chicken
Place the chicken pieces in a bowl.
Add:
- Olive oil
- Paprika
- Oregano
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Lemon juice
Mix thoroughly so every piece of chicken is coated.
Let it sit for 10–15 minutes if you have time. This gives the chicken more flavor.
Step 3: Cook the chicken
Heat a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
Add the seasoned chicken and cook for approximately 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
The chicken should be:
- Golden on the outside
- Fully cooked in the center
- Juicy rather than dry
Remove from the heat and allow it to cool for a few minutes.
Step 4: Prepare the vegetables
In a large salad bowl, combine:
- Broccoli
- Cucumber
- Cherry tomatoes
- Red onion
- Olives
- Fresh parsley
Gently toss everything together.
Step 5: Make the creamy Mediterranean dressing
In a small bowl, combine:
Greek yogurt + mayonnaise + lemon juice + olive oil + garlic + oregano + salt + black pepper.
Whisk until smooth and creamy.
If the dressing is too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons of water until it reaches your preferred consistency.
Taste it and adjust the seasoning. For a more Mediterranean flavor, add a little extra lemon juice or oregano.
Step 6: Combine everything
Add the cooked chicken to the vegetables.
Pour the creamy dressing over the salad and gently mix until everything is evenly coated.
Finally, add the crumbled feta cheese and fold it through carefully.
Step 7: Chill and serve
For the best flavor, cover the salad and refrigerate it for 20–30 minutes before serving.
Before serving, give it a gentle toss.
You can garnish it with:
- Extra feta
- Fresh parsley
- A drizzle of olive oil
- A squeeze of fresh lemon
🌿 What it tastes like
The result is creamy, tangy, savory, slightly salty, and fresh. The Greek yogurt and lemon provide a light creamy base, while feta and olives give it that distinctive Mediterranean flavor. The seasoned chicken makes it substantial enough for lunch or dinner.
Serving idea: Serve it chilled with warm pita bread, toasted flatbread, or as a filling for a wrap.
