Description
Enjoy a flavorful and easy-to-make Mediterranean-inspired meal with this Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice. Tender chicken pieces bake perfectly atop seasoned rice, complemented by a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce, crumbled feta, and fresh herbs for a delicious and wholesome dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Rice
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Garnish
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or parsley
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Dish. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Combine Rice Mixture. In the prepared baking dish, stir together the uncooked rice, chicken broth, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dried oregano, and paprika until evenly mixed.
- Add Chicken and Olive Oil. Arrange the bite-sized chicken pieces on top of the rice mixture and drizzle them with olive oil to keep the chicken moist and flavorful during baking.
- Bake Covered. Tightly cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is completely cooked through.
- Prepare Tzatziki Sauce. While the dish is baking, combine the grated and well-drained cucumber, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and minced garlic in a bowl. Mix until well blended and set aside.
- Rest and Fluff Rice. When baking is complete, remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes. Then gently fluff the rice with a fork to separate the grains.
- Serve with Tzatziki and Garnish. Spoon the prepared tzatziki sauce over the chicken and rice. Sprinkle with crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh dill or parsley before serving to add brightness and extra flavor.
Notes
- Make sure to squeeze excess moisture from the cucumber so the tzatziki stays thick and creamy.
- You can add cherry tomatoes or olives for extra Mediterranean flavor and texture.
- Use a tightly fitting foil cover to ensure the rice cooks evenly and retains moisture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days; reheat gently before serving.
