Description
Easy Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice is a simple one-dish meal where tender chicken breasts and long-grain rice bake together in a flavorful chicken broth, infused with Mediterranean herbs and spices. Finished with a fresh, creamy homemade tzatziki sauce of Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, lemon, and dill, this dish is convenient, packed with flavor, and perfect for an effortless weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
For the Chicken and Rice
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
For the Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the chicken and rice altogether.
- Prepare the Rice Base: Evenly spread the uncooked long-grain rice in the bottom of a suitable baking dish to create an even layer for cooking.
- Add Broth: Pour the chicken broth evenly over the rice, which will cook the rice as it bakes.
- Place Chicken: Arrange the boneless, skinless chicken breasts on top of the rice layer ensuring even spacing.
- Season Chicken: Drizzle the chicken with olive oil. Sprinkle garlic powder, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper over the chicken to season it thoroughly.
- Cover and Bake: Tightly cover the baking dish with foil to trap steam and bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Check for tender rice and wholly cooked chicken (internal temperature of 165°F/75°C).
- Make Tzatziki Sauce: In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated and well-drained cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, chopped fresh dill, and salt. Stir well to blend all flavors into a creamy sauce.
- Serve: Plate the baked chicken and rice, then spoon a generous amount of fresh tzatziki sauce on top or on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Add cherry tomatoes or spinach into the baking dish before covering and baking to incorporate extra vegetables.
- Serve with warm pita bread on the side to complete the Mediterranean-inspired meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
