Some weeknights I want real food… but I also want my kitchen to not feel like a sauna. That’s when Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill shows up like a calm friend with good boundaries: juicy chicken, crisp cucumber, and a tangy yogurt-dill sauce that tastes like summer decided to be helpful for once.
It’s light, it’s filling, and it’s the kind of meal you can scoop into a bowl, stuff into pita, or pile onto toast like you’re casually winning at life.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill — A Delightful and Refreshing Meal
As a home cook who loves her kitchen, I’m always on the lookout for recipes that strike the perfect balance between delicious and easy. That’s why I’m excited to share this Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill dish with you. It’s a flavor-packed, light, and refreshing meal that’s perfect for any time of the year.
Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill — Quick Overview
This recipe is a true crowd-pleaser, and it’s also incredibly easy to put together. The combination of tender chicken, cool cucumber, and tangy yogurt dressing creates a mouthwatering dish that’s sure to satisfy your taste buds. Plus, it’s a breeze to prepare, making it an excellent choice for busy weeknights or casual gatherings.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 15 minutes |
| Cook Time | 18–22 minutes (or use cooked chicken) |
| Chill Time | 20–30 minutes (optional, but worth it) |
| Total Time | ~35–45 minutes |
| Servings | 4 |
| Best For | Meal prep lunches, warm-weather dinners, light protein meals |
What Is Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill?
Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill is one of those fresh, feel-good meals made with tender chicken, crisp cucumber, and a creamy yogurt sauce infused with dill and a pop of lemony brightness. It’s cool, refreshing, and satisfying without feeling heavy — the kind of meal that feels perfect when it’s warm outside or when you just want something fresh and effortless.
If you love protein-packed, yogurt-based meals like my Greek Yogurt Tuna Salad, this recipe hits a similar note but with a brighter, herbier flavor. And when you want to round out the plate with something crunchy and bold, pairing it with Sumac Cucumbers creates a fresh, tangy combo that feels straight out of a Mediterranean lunch spread. On nights when you want a warm, citrusy chicken main instead, Lemon Chicken Piccata makes a great contrast to this chilled dish.
Key Characteristics
| Feature | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Yogurt-based dressing | Creamy but lighter than mayo |
| Fresh dill + lemon | Bright, herbal, refreshing flavor |
| Cucumber | Adds crunch and cooling texture |
| Served chilled | Ideal for warm weather meals |
| High protein | Filling without feeling heavy |
Best For
- Light lunches
- Summer dinners
- Meal prep bowls
- Fresh, high-protein meals
Why You’ll Love This Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill
This Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill recipe is a true gem because it’s:
- Refreshing and light, perfect for hot summer days
- Fast, low-effort, and exactly what you want on nights when cooking feels like a chore
- Versatile, as it can be served as a main dish, a side, or even a dip
- Full of feel-good ingredients, from protein-packed chicken to refreshing, crunchy cucumber
- Totally adaptable — feel free to adjust the seasoning and herbs until it tastes exactly right for you
- Crowd-pleasing, making it a great choice for gatherings and potlucks
Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
Description
This Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill is a light, refreshing meal made with tender cooked chicken, crisp cucumber, and a creamy Greek yogurt dill sauce. Perfect for quick lunches, meal prep, or an easy no-cook dinner.
Ingredients
– 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or chopped
– 1 large cucumber, diced (and patted dry)
– 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
– 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– Salt and pepper to taste
– Optional: lettuce leaves for serving
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken and diced cucumber.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the yogurt dressing over the chicken mixture and toss until evenly coated.
4. Serve chilled or at room temperature, on lettuce leaves or tucked into wraps.
Notes
– For the best texture, use thick Greek yogurt and pat the cucumber dry before mixing.
– Chill for 20–30 minutes if you have time so the flavors blend.
– Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: 🍗 Chicken & Poultry Creations
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Ingredients Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill (And Why They Matter)
Main Ingredients
- Chicken (breasts or thighs): The protein base. Thighs stay extra juicy; breasts keep it lean.
- Cucumber: Crunch + cooling effect. This is the “refresh” button.
- Greek yogurt (plain): Creamy dressing without heaviness.
- Fresh dill: The signature flavor. Makes it taste bright and summery.
- Lemon juice + zest (optional): Adds lift and keeps the dressing from tasting flat.
- Salt + black pepper: The simple stuff that makes everything taste like itself, but better.
Flavor Boosters (optional but excellent)
- Crumbled feta (salty-tangy upgrade) fresh ingredients, as they’ll make a noticeable difference in the final dish.
- Garlic (grated or minced)
- Dijon mustard (tiny amount = big impact)
- Red onion or scallions (for bite)
Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill — Ingredient Swaps
| If you need… | Swap | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Faster prep | Rotisserie chicken | Shred and go. Great for weeknights. |
| Dairy-free | Unsweetened coconut yogurt | Choose a thick one; add extra lemon + salt. |
| No fresh dill | Dried dill | Use about 1/3 the amount; dried is stronger. |
| More crunch | Celery or radish | Adds bite without watering out the salad. |
| More protein | Extra Greek yogurt + diced boiled egg | Turns it into a lunch powerhouse. |
Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill — Tools You’ll Need
- Cutting board + sharp knife
- Mixing bowls (1 small, 1 large)
- Whisk or fork
- Measuring spoons
- Instant-read thermometer (highly recommended)
(Chicken should reach 165°F / 74°C for safety.)
How to Make Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill (Step-by-Step)
1) Cook the chicken (or use cooked)
- Heat oven to 400°F / 200°C.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper (and a little garlic powder if you’re feeling bold).
- Bake 18–22 minutes, until it hits 165°F / 74°C in the thickest part.
- Rest 5–10 minutes, then chop or shred.
Elodie tip: Resting isn’t fancy. It just keeps the juices from sprinting out the second you cut it.
2) Make the dill yogurt dressing
In a bowl, whisk:
- Greek yogurt
- Lemon juice (and zest if using)
- Chopped fresh dill
- Salt + pepper
- Optional: 1 small grated garlic clove, 1 tsp Dijon
You’re aiming for a creamy, spoon-friendly texture — thick but not heavy. If it gets too dense, just loosen it with a little water.
3) Prep the cucumber (so it stays crisp)
Dice cucumber into small chunks. If your cucumber is super watery:
- Sprinkle with a pinch of salt
- Let sit 5 minutes
- Pat dry
This keeps your salad from turning into “yogurt soup.”
4) Combine + chill
Toss chicken + cucumber with the dressing until evenly coated. Chill 20–30 minutes if you can (the dill gets cozy in the yogurt and everything tastes better). and adds a subtle flavor. The yogurt dressing provides a cool, creamy contrast to the crisp cucumber.
Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill — Why This Recipe Turns Out So Good
| Element | What it does |
|---|---|
| Yogurt + lemon | Tangy, creamy base that tastes bright (not heavy) |
| Dill | Adds fresh herbal flavor that screams “summer lunch” |
| Cucumber | Crunch + cooling balance |
| Rested chicken | Stays juicy, so the salad doesn’t feel dry |
Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill Nutrition Notes
This is generally:
- High protein (thanks chicken + Greek yogurt)
- Lower carb (unless you serve it with bread/rice)
- Good for fullness without feeling heavy
Yogurt can also contain live cultures (probiotics) depending on the brand, which may support digestive health.
Nutrition will vary by yogurt brand, chicken cut, and portion size.
Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill Variations
This recipe is flexible — it happily adapts to spice cravings, meal prep needs, or whatever you have in your fridge.
Flavor Variation Ideas
| Style | Add-Ins | Flavor Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Spicy | Jalapeño, cayenne, hot sauce | Cool + fiery contrast |
| Mediterranean | Feta, olives, tomatoes, oregano | Briny, fresh, café-style |
| Extra Protein | Chickpeas, quinoa, boiled egg | More filling, meal-prep friendly |
| Herby | Parsley, chives, basil | Garden-fresh twist |
| Garlicky | Fresh grated garlic, Dijon | Deeper savory flavor |
If you love bold heat, rotating this dish with my Peri Peri Chicken Bowl keeps your weekly chicken meals exciting. For a Mediterranean-inspired lunch lineup, it pairs beautifully with Greek Rice Recipe. And if you want a spicy comfort-food counterbalance during the week, Buffalo Chicken Bowl is another high-protein option worth cycling in.
Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill Serving Ideas
This dish works as a main meal, wrap filling, salad topper, or snack-board dip — basically whatever level of hunger you’re operating on.
How to Serve It
| Serving Style | How to Use It | Best Pairing |
|---|---|---|
| Wrap or Pita | Stuff into pita with lettuce & tomato | Fresh + portable lunch |
| Salad Bowl | Spoon over greens with nuts or avocado | Light dinner |
| Toast Topper | Spread on toasted bread | Easy open-face meal |
| Snack Board / Dip | Serve with crackers or pita chips | Party-friendly |
| Rice or Grain Bowl | Pair with quinoa or rice | Hearty meal prep |
For extra crunch and color on the side, serve it with Tangy Purple Cabbage Slaw. If you want a warm and spicy balance on the same table, Buffalo Chicken Tortilla Soup complements the cool yogurt flavors beautifully. And for casual, snacky dinners, it fits right in next to Texas Toast Pizzas for a fun mix-and-match spread.
Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill — Storage & Reheating
Leftover Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. However, it’s important to note that this dish is best served chilled or at room temperature, as the flavors and textures don’t hold up as well when reheated.
While you can technically freeze this salad, the texture of the cucumber and yogurt dressing may become watery and separated once thawed. For the best results, it’s recommended to enjoy any leftovers within a few days of making the dish.
Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill — FAQ’s
How do I keep Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill from becoming watery?
The key is managing moisture from cucumbers and yogurt. Dice cucumbers into small pieces, lightly salt them, let them rest for 5 minutes, then pat dry before mixing. Also, make sure your chicken is fully cooled before combining — warm chicken can thin the yogurt dressing and create excess liquid.
Pro tip: Thick Greek yogurt helps keep the texture creamy instead of runny.
Can I make Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill ahead of time?
Yes — this recipe is great for meal prep. You can make it up to 24 hours in advance, and the flavor often improves as the dill and lemon settle into the yogurt dressing.
If you want the best crunch, store cucumbers separately and mix them in right before serving.
Is Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill healthy?
Absolutely. This dish is:
– High in protein (chicken + Greek yogurt)
– Lower in carbs compared to traditional chicken salad
– Lighter than mayo-based recipes
– Naturally gluten-free
It’s a great option if you want something filling, fresh, and balanced without feeling heavy afterward.
Can I use rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken?
Yes — rotisserie chicken is a fantastic shortcut and adds extra flavor. Leftover grilled or roasted chicken also works beautifully.
Just make sure the chicken is not overly salty, since the yogurt dressing already contains seasoning.
What’s the best yogurt to use for this recipe?
Plain Greek yogurt is the best choice because it’s thick, creamy, and slightly tangy.
– If using regular yogurt:
– Choose full-fat or strained yogurt
Consider draining it briefly to remove extra liquid
Avoid sweetened yogurt — it will throw off the flavor.
Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill — Final Thoughts
This Chicken Cucumber Yogurt Dill is a true gem in my recipe collection. It’s a refreshing, light, and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any occasion, from casual weeknight dinners to summer gatherings with friends. The combination of tender chicken, crisp cucumber, and the tangy yogurt dressing is simply unbeatable. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and enjoy it as much as I do. Happy cooking!
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