Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice Recipe
This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice is a hearty and flavorful one-pan meal combining tender marinated chicken, fragrant herbs, and tender rice baked together to perfection. The dish is finished with refreshing homemade or store-bought tzatziki sauce, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of lemon, making it a simple, wholesome, and Greek-inspired weeknight dinner that requires minimal prep but delivers maximum deliciousness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes plus 30 minutes marinating
- Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
- Total Time: 50-60 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade and Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme (or ¼ teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Rice and Vegetables
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 1 medium zucchini, coarsely grated (about 1½ cups)
- 2 cups chicken broth
To Serve
- Tzatziki sauce
- Pita bread
- Fresh herbs (dill, basil, parsley, or chives)
- Fresh lemon
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or spray it thoroughly with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Marinate Chicken: In the prepared baking dish, combine the diced chicken with lemon juice, olive oil, and all the herbs and spices including parsley, oregano, thyme, smoked paprika, seasoned salt, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, turmeric, and cayenne pepper. Toss everything well to coat. Let the mixture marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse while preheating your oven.
- Combine Ingredients: To the marinated chicken in the baking dish, add the uncooked long grain white rice, coarsely grated zucchini, and chicken broth. Stir everything thoroughly to combine evenly.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam and moisture. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed. If the rice needs more time, continue baking uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Final Steps: Remove the dish from the oven and fluff the rice gently with a fork. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve the chicken and rice mixture topped with cool tzatziki sauce, sprinkle with fresh herbs like dill, basil, parsley, or chives, and add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Serve alongside warm pita bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts to add more moisture and flavor.
- Make sure to cover the dish tightly with foil to retain moisture while baking the rice and chicken together.
- If you prefer, use low sodium chicken broth for a healthier version.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- This recipe is easily adaptable to gluten-free diets by serving with gluten-free pita or omitting bread.
Keywords: chicken tzatziki rice, baked chicken rice, Greek chicken recipe, one-pan chicken dinner, easy chicken recipes, tzatziki sauce chicken
