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Delicious Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice recipe ready to serve.

Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice

A hassle-free one-pan dinner featuring tender chicken, flavorful rice, and a bright homemade tzatziki sauce, perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the rice and chicken
  • 2 cups long grain white rice (jasmine or basmati work well)
  • 4 cups chicken broth (or water, broth gives more flavor)
  • 2 pieces boneless skinless chicken breasts or skinless thighs (thighs are juicier)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon oregano or Italian seasoning
  • 1 cup diced cucumber substitute (such as zucchini or bell pepper for added texture and color)
For the tzatziki
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt (or dairy free yogurt)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 cup grated cucumber (excess moisture squeezed out)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill (chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly oil a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Rinse the rice under cold running water until the water runs clear. Spread the rice evenly in the prepared dish.
  3. Pour the chicken broth or water over the rice and stir gently to distribute.
Cooking
  1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season both sides with salt, pepper, paprika, and oregano.
  2. Place the chicken pieces on top of the rice. Scatter the diced cucumber substitute around the chicken. Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken and vegetables.
  3. Cover the dish tightly with foil. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken reads 165°F. The rice should be tender and the liquid absorbed.
  4. Remove from the oven and let the dish rest, covered, for 5 to 10 minutes to finish steaming.
Tzatziki Preparation
  1. While the bake rests, make the tzatziki: combine Greek yogurt, minced garlic, grated and squeezed cucumber, dill, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and adjust lemon or salt as needed.
Serving
  1. Serve the tzatziki spooned over the chicken and rice or serve it on the side.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Calories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 67gProtein: 43gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 900mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3g

Notes

Serve on shallow plates so the rice and tzatziki mingle. Garnish with extra dill, a drizzle of olive oil, and lemon wedges for squeezing. Pair with a crisp green salad, roasted tomatoes, or warm pita for scooping.

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