Dramatis Personae1/2 cup Greek yogurt
4 chicken thighs
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
handful of chopped dill
3 chopped scallions (half a diced red onion would be tasty too)
salt and pepper
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cumin
some kalamata olives, pitted and chopped (optional)
olive oil
1/2 cucumber
1. In a bowl, toss the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, paprika, cumin and olive oil. Dump it out in a baking dish. Roast for 40 minutes. I like to turn them over halfway through. I'm pretty sure it makes no difference really, but I'm weird like that.
2. Run your cucumber (I didn't bother to peel or seed mine. I wouldn't worry about it.) over a box grater. Then put it all in a tea towel and squeeze the liquid out of it. If you leave it all in, you're sauce will be watery. No one likes watery sauce.
3. While the chicken is cooking, combine the yogurt, olives (If you're using them. They add a little extra brinyness to that party. I'd say go lighter on the final salt seasoning if you choose to use 'em.) vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, dill, cucumber, scallions (or red onions. See, I'm flexible. I provide options.) and mix that shit up good.
4. When the chicken is done, let it rest for at least 10 minutes. I'd let it go until it's cool enough to handle comfortably. You're not going to eat it warm anyway, so what's the rush. Chop/shred the chicken off the bone. (Make sure you eat the chicken that's left on the bone. Don't waste good chicken thigh meat or you certainly can't be a proper Fat Kid.) Fold the chicken into the tzatziki mixture. Cover and let chill for at least a couple of hours or overnight if possible. This lets the flavors meld more completely.
5. Get yourself some pitas, warm those sumbitches up, add some lettuce and tomato and your awesome chicken salad and you are set for some good eating. And pretty healthy at that. Who knew I had healthy food in my quiver?
