Description
This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice is a simple and flavorful one-dish meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken pieces are baked alongside long-grain rice infused with a creamy homemade tzatziki sauce, made from Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and lemon. Finished with fresh garnishes, this Mediterranean-inspired recipe is easy to prepare, requiring minimal cleanup while delivering fresh, vibrant flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Rice
- 1 lb (450 g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into chunks
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 ¾ cups chicken broth
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional Toppings
- Cherry tomatoes
- Red onion, sliced
- Feta cheese, crumbled
- Fresh dill
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for even baking.
- Prepare Tzatziki Sauce: In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (well squeezed to remove excess moisture), minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly until the sauce is smooth and well mixed.
- Assemble Rice Mixture: In a 9×13-inch baking dish, mix the uncooked long-grain white rice with the chicken broth. Stir in about two-thirds of the prepared tzatziki sauce, reserving the remaining sauce for serving later.
- Add Chicken: Arrange the chicken chunks evenly over the rice and broth mixture. Season with a little more salt, black pepper, and oregano to taste for enhanced flavor.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked through (no longer pink inside and juices run clear).
- Rest and Garnish: Remove from oven and let the dish rest, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve topped with the remaining tzatziki sauce and optional garnishes such as cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh dill for a fresh vibrant finish.
Notes
- Make sure to squeeze excess moisture from the grated cucumber to avoid a watery sauce.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier meat, or breasts for a leaner option.
- Covering the dish tightly with foil is essential to cook the rice properly and keep the chicken moist.
- Letting the dish rest after baking allows the flavors to meld and the rice to absorb any remaining liquid.
- Optional toppings add color and texture, but the dish is delicious on its own.
