This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice is a flavorful, easy one-pan meal featuring juicy chicken, creamy tzatziki sauce, and fluffy, seasoned rice. With minimal prep and no stovetop cooking, this dish is perfect for a quick, healthy dinner!
Author:Beth
Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:45 minutes
Total Time:55 minutes
Yield:4-6 servings 1x
Category:Main Course
Method:Baking
Cuisine:Mediterranean, Greek-Inspired
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken & Marinade:
1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 cup tzatziki sauce (store-bought or homemade)
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
½ tsp salt
¼ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp lemon juice
For the Rice:
1 ½ cups uncooked long-grain white rice (or basmati)
3 cups chicken broth (or water)
½ tsp salt
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
½ tsp dried oregano
For Topping & Garnish:
½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
½ small cucumber, diced
¼ cup red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
2 tbsp fresh parsley or dill, chopped
Lemon wedges (for serving)
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat & Prepare the Dish
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Assemble the Ingredients
In the baking dish, mix rice, chicken broth, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano. Stir to combine.
Nestle the chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture.
Spread tzatziki sauce evenly over the chicken.
Step 3: Bake the Dish
Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until the rice is fluffy and the chicken is cooked through (internal temp of 165°F/75°C).
Step 4: Add Fresh Toppings & Serve
Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
Garnish with cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta cheese, and fresh herbs.
Serve warm with lemon wedges for extra freshness.
Notes
Brown Rice Option: Use 2 cups brown rice and increase broth to 4 cups. Bake for 50-55 minutes.
Low-Carb Version: Swap rice for cauliflower rice and reduce broth to 1 cup.
Extra Flavor: Add ½ tsp cumin or smoked paprika to the rice for a Mediterranean twist.
Storage: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.