Description
This Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice recipe combines tender chicken breasts baked on a bed of flavorful rice with a creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. The dish is easy to prepare, using simple ingredients like Greek yogurt, fresh herbs, and spices to infuse Mediterranean flavors. Perfect for a comforting family dinner, it delivers a balanced meal of protein, carbs, and fresh zest without complicated steps or equipment.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice and Broth
- 2 cups Long Grain White Rice (Jasmine or basmati rice are great alternatives)
- 4 cups Chicken Broth (Or water for a less savory option)
Chicken
- 2 pieces Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (Skinless thighs are a tasty substitute)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (Drizzled on chicken for a golden crust)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (Essential for flavor)
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper (Essential for flavor)
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek Yogurt (Or dairy-free yogurt for a lighter option)
- 2 cloves Minced Garlic (Fresh garlic infuses robust flavor)
- 1 cup Grated Cucumber (Squeeze out excess moisture)
- 2 tablespoons Dill (Fresh preferred over dried)
- 2 tablespoons Lemon Juice (Brightens the sauce)
- 1 teaspoon Oregano (Can mix up with Italian seasoning)
- 1 teaspoon Paprika (Enhances flavor profile)
- 1 cup Cucumber Substitute (Diced zucchini or bell pepper work)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and allow it to fully heat while you prepare the ingredients, ensuring even cooking once the dish goes in.
- Prepare Rice and Broth: Evenly spread the uncooked rice in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour the chicken broth (or water) over the rice without stirring to keep the grains separated during baking.
- Make Tzatziki Sauce: In a separate bowl, combine Greek yogurt, minced garlic, grated cucumber (with moisture squeezed out), fresh dill, lemon juice, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to develop the creamy, flavorful sauce.
- Prepare Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to help the olive oil stick and promote browning. Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken and place the pieces on top of the rice layer in the baking dish.
- Apply the Sauce: Generously spread the prepared tzatziki sauce over each chicken breast, ensuring an even coating for maximum flavor infusion during baking.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil to trap steam, then bake in the preheated oven for 50 to 60 minutes until the rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Rest the Dish: Carefully remove the foil and let the dish rest for 5 minutes outside the oven. This helps the rice finish absorbing moisture and allows flavors to settle.
- Serve: Garnish with additional fresh dill or parsley and serve with lemon wedges to squeeze over the top for a bright finishing touch.
Notes
- You can substitute skinless chicken thighs for breasts for a juicier result.
- Use dairy-free yogurt to make the dish lighter or suitable for lactose intolerant guests.
- Squeeze excess moisture from the grated cucumber to prevent a watery sauce.
- If you don’t have fresh dill, dried dill can be used but reduce quantity to 1 tablespoon as it’s more concentrated.
- Covering with foil during baking prevents the chicken and rice from drying out.
- Letting the dish rest after baking improves texture and flavor melding.
- Jasmine or basmati rice are excellent aromatic alternatives to plain long grain rice.
- The dish pairs well with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: chicken tzatziki, baked chicken rice, Mediterranean chicken, one dish chicken meal, Greek yogurt chicken, creamy garlic chicken, healthy baked chicken
