Description
This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice is a creamy, tangy, Mediterranean-inspired one-pan meal. With tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a yogurt-based tzatziki sauce, it’s flavorful, comforting, and requires no precooking—just mix, bake, and enjoy.
Ingredients
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
1 ½ cups chicken broth or water
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
⅓ cup grated cucumber (squeeze out excess water)
2 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried dill (or 2 tsp fresh dill, chopped)
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp ground cumin
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Juice of 1 lemon
½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Prepare base: In the baking dish, combine rice, broth, olive oil, garlic, dill, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir to coat the rice evenly.
- Add chicken and tzatziki: Arrange chicken pieces over the rice. In a small bowl, mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, and lemon juice, then spread evenly over the top.
- Bake covered: Cover tightly with foil and bake for 35–40 minutes, until rice is tender and chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Add toppings: Remove foil, sprinkle feta on top, and bake uncovered for 5 more minutes until cheese softens.
- Finish and serve: Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley or cilantro and serve with salad or pita bread.
Notes
Use full-fat Greek yogurt for the best texture.
For extra flavor, add sliced Kalamata olives or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
If using brown rice, increase liquid slightly and bake 10 minutes longer.
Make it dairy-free by using plant-based yogurt and omitting feta.
Store-bought tzatziki can replace the homemade mixture—just thin it slightly with lemon juice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg
