⭐ Creamy Chicken Cucumber Salad

A cool, crunchy, creamy salad made with tender chicken, fresh cucumbers, herbs, and a tangy dressing. Ready in minutes and perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or eating as-is.

🥒 Ingredients

For the Salad

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie works great!)

• 1 large English cucumber, chopped (or 2 Persian cucumbers)

• 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced (optional)

• 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped

• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

• 1 stalk celery, thinly sliced (optional for crunch)

For the Creamy Dressing

• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (or mayo, or half & half)

• 2 tbsp mayonnaise (optional for richness)

• 1 tbsp lemon juice (fresh)

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

• 1 garlic clove, minced (or 1/2 tsp garlic powder)

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

• 1/4 tsp paprika (optional)

• 1–2 tbsp olive oil (optional for smoothness)

🥗 Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetables

• Chop cucumbers into bite-size pieces.

• Slice onions and celery.

• Chop dill and parsley.

2. Mix the dressing

In a bowl, whisk together:

• Greek yogurt

• Mayo

• Lemon juice

• Dijon

• Garlic

• Salt & pepper

• Paprika and olive oil (optional)

Taste and adjust seasoning.

3. Assemble the salad

• Add chicken, cucumber, onion, dill, and parsley to a large bowl.

• Pour in the creamy dressing.

• Toss gently until everything is well coated.

4. Chill and Serve

• Refrigerate for 20 minutes before serving for best flavor.

• Serve as:

  • A cold salad

  • A sandwich filling

  • A wrap

  • A topping for toast

  • A side dish

🌟 Tips & Variations

✔ Add crunch

• Toasted almonds

• Walnuts

• Sunflower seeds

✔ Add creaminess

• 1 mashed avocado blended into the dressing

✔ Add more veggies

• Cherry tomatoes

• Bell peppers

• Radishes

✔ Make it spicy

• Add red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños

✔ Make it low-carb / keto

• Use mayo + sour cream instead of yogurt

❓ Q/A (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Can I make this salad ahead of time?

A: Yes! It stays fresh for up to 2–3 days in the refrigerator. The cucumbers may release water, so you can lightly salt and pat dry before mixing.

Q: Can I use canned chicken?

A: Absolutely. Drain it well and shred it before mixing. Rotisserie or boiled chicken works even better for flavor.

Q: Can I make the dressing dairy-free?

A: Yes! Simply use:

• Dairy-free yogurt, or

• Mayo only

Both versions taste great.

Q: What type of cucumber works best?

A: English or Persian cucumbers because:

• They are crisp

• Less watery

• Fewer seeds

You can use regular cucumbers if you remove seeds.

Q: Can I add pasta to make it a full meal?

A: Yes! Add 1–2 cups cooked, cooled pasta (like rotini or bowtie) for a creamy chicken pasta salad.

Q: Can I use leftover grilled or baked chicken?

A: Yes, any cooked chicken works. Grilled chicken adds great smoky flavor.