Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice: A Comfort Dish That Transports You to Greece Recipe
This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice is a comforting and flavorful Greek-inspired one-dish meal that seamlessly combines tender chicken breasts or thighs with fluffy rice and a refreshing tzatziki sauce. Easy to prepare and bake in one casserole dish, this recipe offers a hassle-free weeknight dinner that transports your taste buds straight to Greece with vibrant herbs, garlic, and lemon-infused yogurt.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs Chicken breasts or thighs
- 1.5 cups Rice
- 3 cups Chicken broth
Tzatziki Sauce Ingredients
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 Cucumber, grated
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp Fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tbsp Lemon juice
Seasoning
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Layer Rice and Chicken: Spread the uncooked rice evenly in the greased casserole dish. Place the chicken breasts or thighs on top of the rice, and season well with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Make the Tzatziki Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, chopped fresh dill, and lemon juice. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Assemble and Add Broth: Spoon the prepared tzatziki sauce evenly over the chicken pieces. Then, pour the chicken broth gently over the rice and chicken, ensuring the rice is submerged to cook properly. Cover the casserole dish tightly with foil.
- Bake Until Cooked: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes. The chicken should be fully cooked through, and the rice should be tender and fluffy.
- Serve: Remove from oven, let it rest a few minutes, then serve the dish warm, optionally garnished with additional fresh dill or lemon wedges.
Notes
- For added fiber and a nuttier flavor, substitute white rice with brown rice; note this may increase cooking time slightly.
- Incorporate diced zucchini or other vegetables to add color and nutrition to the dish.
- Make sure to cover the casserole with foil tightly to trap steam and cook the rice evenly.
- You can swap chicken thighs with breasts depending on your preference for flavor and fat content.
Keywords: chicken tzatziki rice, Greek chicken casserole, one-dish chicken dinner, baked chicken with rice, tzatziki sauce recipe
