Macedonian Chicken Salad

Ingredients

In this Macedonian adaptation of the Chinese Chicken Salad, we have incorporated the flavors and ingredients commonly found in Macedonian cuisine. The original dish's Asian-inspired dressing has been replaced with a tangy Greek yogurt dressing, which adds a creamy and refreshing element to the salad. Additionally, we have included traditional Macedonian vegetables such as cucumbers and bell peppers to enhance the salad's crunch and flavor. We alse have the original recipe for Chinese Chicken Salad, so you can check it out.

• 2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded 2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
• 1 cucumber, diced 1 cucumber, diced
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
• 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
• For the dressing: For the dressing:
• 1 cup Greek yogurt 1 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 12g, 8g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cucumber, tomatoes, bell peppers, red onion, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, parsley, and mint.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper until well combined.
3. 3.
   Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients.
4. 4.
   Serve the Macedonian Chicken Salad chilled and garnish with additional fresh herbs, if desired.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Chicken — To save time, you can use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken. Make sure to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
• Feta cheese — Opt for high-quality feta cheese for the best flavor. If unavailable, you can substitute it with goat cheese or a mild white cheese.

Tips & Tricks

• For added flavor, marinate the chicken in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs for at least 30 minutes before cooking.
• To make the salad more filling, you can add cooked quinoa or couscous.
• Customize the salad by adding your favorite Mediterranean ingredients such as artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, or sun-dried tomatoes.
• For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with grilled halloumi cheese or chickpeas.
• Make sure to chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld together.

Serving advice

Serve the Macedonian Chicken Salad as a light lunch or dinner. It can also be enjoyed as a side dish alongside grilled meats or fish. Pair it with warm pita bread or crusty bread to complete the meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, arrange the salad on a large platter and garnish with fresh herbs and a sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese. Serve it family-style, allowing guests to help themselves.