Dump-and-bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice is a quick, effortless meal that’s both delicious and healthy. With juicy chicken, aromatic tzatziki sauce, and fluffy rice baked in one pan, this Mediterranean-inspired dish is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or meal prep. The best part? Minimal prep, no stovetop required, and a flavor-packed meal that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple One-Pan Meal: This recipe involves very little hands-on work, making cleanup a breeze.
- Mediterranean Delight: The creamy tzatziki sauce combined with garlic, lemon, and herbs brings all the authentic Mediterranean flavors.
- Healthy & Nutritious: Packed with protein from the chicken and fiber from the rice, it’s a well-balanced dish.
- Stress-Free Cooking: With no need to stand over the stove, it’s a great hands-off cooking option.
- Great for Meal Prep: This recipe stores well in the fridge and reheats beautifully for those busy days ahead.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Chicken & Rice:
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- Long-grain white rice (or brown rice, with adjusted cooking time)
- Chicken broth (or water)
- Olive oil
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Dried oregano
- Salt and pepper
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- Greek yogurt
- Cucumber (grated and squeezed dry)
- Garlic (minced)
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Dill (fresh or dried)
- Salt and pepper
Optional Toppings:
- Cherry tomatoes (halved)
- Feta cheese (crumbled)
- Kalamata olives
- Fresh parsley
Directions
1. Preheat the Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
2. Prepare the Rice
In your prepared baking dish, combine the uncooked rice with chicken broth, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir everything together so it’s evenly distributed.
3. Add the Chicken
Next, lay the chicken breasts (or thighs) over the rice mixture. Season them with an additional pinch of salt, pepper, and oregano to taste.
4. Bake
Cover the dish tightly with foil and place it in the oven. Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C), and the rice is tender and fully cooked.
5. Make the Tzatziki Sauce
While the chicken and rice are baking, prepare the tzatziki sauce. In a medium bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (make sure it’s dry to avoid excess moisture), minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, salt, and pepper. Mix well and set aside in the refrigerator until the dish is ready to be served.
6. Finish the Dish
Once the chicken is done, remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Spoon the tzatziki sauce generously over the chicken.
7. Garnish and Serve
For extra flavor and color, garnish the dish with halved cherry tomatoes, crumbled feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and fresh parsley. Serve with a wedge of lemon for an added touch of freshness.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 40 minutes
- Total time: 50 minutes
Variations
- Spicy Version: Add red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the rice mixture for some heat.
- Low-Carb Option: Replace the rice with cauliflower rice and reduce the amount of broth used for a lighter, low-carb meal.
- Extra Creamy: For a richer texture, stir some tzatziki into the rice mixture before baking.
- Protein Swap: You can easily substitute the chicken with shrimp, tofu, or turkey, depending on your preference.
- Vegan Alternative: For a plant-based option, swap the chicken for chickpeas and use dairy-free yogurt to make the tzatziki sauce.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: If you want to freeze it, skip adding the tzatziki sauce before freezing. The dish can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. Be sure to thaw it before reheating.
- Reheating: To reheat, place the dish in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes, or heat in the microwave for 1–2 minutes. If needed, add a splash of broth or water to moisten the rice.
Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice
Ingredients
- 1 lb Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 1/2 cups Long-grain white rice or brown rice with adjusted cooking time
- 2 1/2 cups Chicken broth or water
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Dried oregano
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup Grated cucumber (squeezed dry)
- 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dill (fresh or dried)
- to taste Salt
- to taste Pepper
- optional Cherry tomatoes (halved)
- optional Feta cheese (crumbled)
- optional Kalamata olives
- optional Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In the prepared baking dish, combine the rice, chicken broth, olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Place the chicken breasts or thighs on top of the rice mixture. Season with additional salt, pepper, and oregano.
- Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C), and the rice is fully cooked and tender.
- While the chicken bakes, prepare the tzatziki sauce by combining Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Set aside in the fridge.
- Once the chicken and rice are done, remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes.
- Top the chicken with a generous amount of tzatziki sauce.
- Garnish with cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, olives, and fresh parsley. Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
FAQs
Can I use store-bought tzatziki?
Yes, store-bought tzatziki is a great time-saving option if you’re short on time. Just make sure it’s a quality brand for the best flavor.
Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, you can substitute brown rice, but it will require a bit more time. Increase the cooking time by 10-15 minutes and use extra broth to ensure the rice cooks through.
How can I keep the chicken from drying out?
Covering the dish with foil while baking helps trap moisture and keeps the chicken juicy. Also, make sure not to overcook it—check the internal temperature and remove it when it hits 165°F (75°C).
What should I serve with this dish?
This meal pairs wonderfully with a fresh Greek salad, roasted vegetables, or some warm pita bread on the side.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
Yes, simply swap the Greek yogurt with dairy-free yogurt for the tzatziki sauce, and you’ll have a delicious dairy-free meal.
Do I need to rinse the rice before baking?
Yes, rinsing the rice before cooking helps remove excess starch, preventing it from becoming too sticky or mushy.
Can I use boneless chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless chicken thighs add more flavor and will stay juicier as they cook. It’s a great option if you prefer dark meat.
Can I add vegetables to the bake?
Definitely! Vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach are perfect additions to the rice mixture for added nutrition and flavor.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free, as long as all your packaged ingredients (like the chicken broth) are gluten-free certified.
Can I marinate the chicken beforehand?
For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and oregano for 1-2 hours before assembling the dish. It will add a wonderful depth of flavor to the chicken.
Conclusion
Dump-and-bake chicken tzatziki with rice is the perfect weeknight dinner that’s both easy to make and packed with Mediterranean flavor. The juicy chicken, creamy tzatziki sauce, and perfectly cooked rice come together in one dish for a no-fuss, satisfying meal. Plus, it’s highly customizable to suit various dietary preferences, making it a versatile addition to your regular meal rotation. Try it today, and you’ll see why this recipe is a crowd-pleaser!