Name: Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1.5 lbs Chicken breasts or thighs; 3 cups Chicken broth; 1 cup Greek yogurt; 1 Cucumber, grated; 2 cloves Garlic, minced; 2 tbsp Fresh dill; 2 tbsp Lemon juice; Salt and pepper, to taste

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Introduction

This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice is an easy, flavorful one-dish meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken bakes alongside fragrant rice, topped with a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce that adds a bright, creamy touch.

The image shows a white bowl filled with three main layers. The bottom layer is white rice mixed with small green herb pieces, giving it a soft and slightly fluffy texture. The middle layer has grilled chicken cubes with golden-brown grill marks and scattered fresh green dill leaves on top. The top layer is a thick, creamy white sauce with more chopped green herbs mixed in, covering part of the chicken. On the right side of the bowl, two bright yellow lemon wedges are placed beside the creamy sauce and rice. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1.5 lbs chicken breasts or thighs
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup Greek yogurt
1 cucumber, grated
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp fresh dill
2 tbsp lemon juice
Salt and pepper, to taste
1.5 cups rice

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a casserole dish to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Spread the rice evenly in the bottom of the casserole dish. Place the chicken pieces on top and season everything with salt and pepper.
Step 3: In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, fresh dill, and lemon juice to make the tzatziki sauce.
Step 4: Spoon the tzatziki sauce evenly over the chicken. Pour the chicken broth carefully over the rice and chicken, then cover the dish tightly with foil.
Step 5: Bake in the oven for 45 to 50 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is fluffy and tender.

Tips & Variations

Use chicken thighs for juicier meat or breasts for a leaner option.
Add chopped fresh mint or parsley to the tzatziki for extra brightness.
Swap regular rice for brown rice, but increase baking time and broth accordingly.
For a thicker sauce, drain excess water from the grated cucumber before mixing.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven until warmed through. The rice may thicken, so add a splash of broth or water if needed when reheating.

How to Serve

In a white bowl, there is a base layer of cooked white rice with a soft, fluffy texture. On top of the rice are three grilled chicken pieces, slightly browned with some charred spots, giving a crispy look. A thin lemon slice rests neatly on one piece of chicken, adding a fresh yellow color. To the side of the chicken, there is a dollop of creamy white sauce mixed with green herbs, giving it a speckled look. Fresh green dill sprigs are scattered over the chicken, rice, and sauce to add a bright touch of color. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with two lemon halves placed nearby. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this recipe?

It’s best to use thawed chicken to ensure even cooking. Cooking from frozen may result in unevenly cooked chicken and longer baking times.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

You can assemble the casserole in advance, cover it tightly, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if the dish is cold from the fridge.