Description
This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice is a simple, flavorful one-dish meal combining tender baked chicken breasts or thighs with fluffy rice cooked in savory chicken broth, topped with a homemade refreshing tzatziki sauce made from Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, dill, and lemon juice. It’s an easy, comforting recipe perfect for a hassle-free dinner that brings Mediterranean-inspired flavors to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Rice
- 1.5 lbs Chicken breasts or thighs
- 3 cups Chicken broth
- 1 cup Rice
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 Cucumber, grated
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp Fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a casserole dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Layer Rice and Chicken: Spread the rice evenly in the bottom of the greased casserole dish. Place the chicken breasts or thighs on top of the rice. Season both the rice and chicken with salt and black pepper according to your preference.
- Make Tzatziki Sauce: In a bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, chopped fresh dill, and lemon juice. Mix well to create the flavorful tzatziki sauce.
- Assemble Dish: Spoon the prepared tzatziki sauce evenly over the chicken pieces. Gently pour the chicken broth around the chicken and rice, ensuring the liquid covers the rice but doesn’t wash away the yogurt topping. Cover the casserole dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake: Place the covered casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the rice is tender and fluffy. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on chicken thickness.
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat, or breasts for a leaner option.
- Make sure to grate the cucumber finely and squeeze out excess moisture to prevent a watery tzatziki sauce.
- Fresh dill is key for authentic tzatziki flavor; dried dill can be used in a pinch but use less.
- Check the chicken doneness by ensuring the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika or cumin to the rice before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: baked chicken, tzatziki sauce, one-dish meal, easy dinner, Mediterranean chicken, Greek yogurt sauce, rice casserole
