Spicy Mediterranean Chicken with Creamy Cucumber Salad

An easy flavor-packed meal the entire family will love! Juicy chicken thighs are marinated in a blend of warm Mediterranean spices then grilled to perfection & topped with a cooling creamy cucumber salad. This spicy Mediterranean chicken will become a favorite in no time! (Grilling & baking instructions included.)

I love a good chicken recipe – especially one that’s marinated in bold spices with a TON of flavor. This Mediterranean chicken is hands down a new favorite! It’s a yummy fiery twist on traditional Mediterranean chicken using the “Holy Trinity” of garlic, olive oil and lemon juice + a variety of bold spices to amp up the flavor and the heat. (In one word – it’s a flavor BOMB!) While I personally love charring it on the grill, you can also bake it or use a stovetop grill pan instead.

Because this chicken boasts robust flavors and spice, it needs something cool and creamy to tone it down. Cue in your creamy cucumber salad! I like to think of this one as a type of “deconstructed tzatziki” with greater emphasis on the cucumber and red onion. It’s zesty, refreshing and the most delicious way to keep those spices at bay.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken thighs: Use boneless skinless chicken thighs for the best results. (They take less time to cook and always come out juicy and tender.)

Olive oil: You’ll need two tablespoons of olive oil for the marinade. (This is what helps the spices adhere to the chicken.)

Lemons: Lemon juice AND lemon zest are used in this recipe. (We’re really honing in on the lemon flavor here.)

Garlic: An essential ingredient for the marinade. This flavorful chicken marinade is bolstered by using 5 minced garlic cloves.

Spices: A mix of smoked paprika, dried oregano, cumin, salt, black pepper and cayenne create the smoky/spicy seasoning for your chicken marinade.

Cucumber: Use Persian or English cucumbers for the best results. (They have smaller seeds + a non-waxy skin making them much easier to eat.) Since the salad is used as a “topping” for the chicken, I like to finely dice my cucumber so it resembles more of a “salsa”.

Red onion: Mild and slightly sweet in flavor – red onion is the perfect pairing for your cucumber salad. (I’d also suggest finely mincing the onion so it incorporates well with the cucumber.)

Plain Greek yogurt: The main component of your cucumber salad dressing! (I love that it gives the salad a smooth and creamy texture while also providing extra protein + nutrients.)

Fresh dill: Nothing says freshness like fresh herbs – especially dill! We’re loading up this cucumber salad with fresh dill making it incredibly flavorful and refreshing.

How To Make Spicy Mediterranean Chicken

1. Marinate the chicken. Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, smoked paprika, dried oregano, cumin, salt, black pepper, and cayenne together in a large mixing bowl. Add the chicken thighs and toss until they’re fully coated. Cover and marinate for 2 hours – overnight.

2. Cook the chicken. Grilling Method: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat and brush the grates with olive oil. Cook the chicken for 5-6 minutes per side or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Baking method: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and spray a baking dish with cooking spray. Place the chicken thighs in the dish and bake for 20-22 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

3. Make the cucumber salad. Add the diced cucumbers and onions to a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, dill, salt and black pepper together. Pour the dressing over the veggies and toss until the salad is just coated. (I’d suggest doing this right before you’re ready to serving. Keep in mind – the longer the salad sits, the more liquid will form in the bottom of the bowl.)

4. Garnish and serve. Transfer the chicken to a plate and top each thigh with the cucumber salad right before serving. (Optional: serve with crumbled feta.)

Serving Suggestions

I feel like this chicken dish is basically a meal in itself. You have your healthy protein with the chicken and your veggies with the salad, so I usually focus on a starch/carb to serve with it. Here are some of our favorites:! (That being said, I’ve also listed a few other yummy veggie-based sides for you too.😉)

• Roasted potatoes
• Rice pilaf
• Steamed white rice or cauliflower rice
• Warm pita bread
• Orzo or orzo salad
• Extra veggie options: roasted broccoli, sauteed asparagus, sauteed zucchini, etc.
• Salad options: simple green side salad with balsamic dressing, traditional Greek salad

We love turning this into Mediterranean chicken bowls for an healthy weeknight dinner! They’re so flavorful and easy to put together. Simply chop the chicken and add it to a bowl with your cucumber salad, rice, sliced tomatoes, pickled red onion and feta cheese!

Expert Tips

Marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours – overnight for maximum flavor!

Grilling the chicken thighs locks in flavor and moisture + gives them a rich flavorful crust.

Avoid a soggy salad! Hold off tossing the salad and dressing together until right before serving.

Amp of the heat! Add another ¼ teaspoon of black pepper to the chicken marinade. (½ teaspoon total.)

Why you’ll love this chicken recipe!

• A healthy dinner idea! This chicken dinner is packed with 2x the protein + veggies!
• Baked or grilled! Multiple cooking options means more variety for you! Grill them during summer or bake them over winter – this recipe is perfect for any season!
• Versatile! Serve with your favorite Mediterranean side dishes or chop up the chicken and turn it into a satisfying chicken bowl!

More chicken recipes you might like:

• Honey Lime Grilled Chicken Thighs
• Grilled Balsamic Chicken with Strawberries & Feta
• Grilled Huli Huli Chicken with Pineapple
• Lemon Oregano Chicken with Mediterranean-Style Salsa

[Made one of my recipes? Tag my Instagram @kalefornia_kravings & leave a review in the comments – I love seeing what you create!]