Name: Easy Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice (uncooked); 2 1/2 cups chicken broth or water; 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts; 1 cup plain Greek yogurt; 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped or grated; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill); 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons olive oil; Fresh dill or parsley; Lemon wedges

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Introduction

This Easy Dump And Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice is a simple, flavorful one-dish meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts bake atop a bed of fluffy rice with a tangy tzatziki sauce, making dinner both effortless and delicious.

A large blue-gray oval plate filled with a base layer of yellow-orange seasoned rice mixed with small pieces of cooked onions and green herbs. On top, several golden-brown grilled chicken pieces are scattered, each with slightly charred edges. A generous dollop of white yogurt sauce with chopped green herbs is placed in the center of the rice. Around the edges, thin cucumber slices and lemon wedges add fresh green and yellow hues. The dish is garnished with chopped green herbs sprinkled all over. In the background, there are pieces of flatbread and a small bowl of bright red cherry tomatoes on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups long grain white rice (uncooked)
2 1/2 cups chicken broth or water
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped or grated
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
Optional garnish: Fresh dill or parsley
Optional garnish: Lemon wedges

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large baking dish (about 9×13 inches), spread the uncooked rice evenly across the bottom.
Step 2: Pour the chicken broth or water over the rice without stirring to keep the rice in place for even cooking.
Step 3: In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, minced garlic, chopped cucumber, dill, lemon juice, oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well mixed to create the tzatziki sauce.
Step 4: Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then drizzle with olive oil. Place the chicken breasts directly on top of the rice in the baking dish.
Step 5: Spoon the tzatziki sauce generously over each chicken breast, covering them well.
Step 6: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam, then bake for 50 to 60 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
Step 7: Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 8: Garnish with fresh dill or parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired. Enjoy your meal!

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken with the tzatziki sauce for 30 minutes before baking.
Substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter taste or water in a pinch.
Add chopped tomatoes or olives on top before baking for a Mediterranean twist.
If you prefer a thicker sauce, strain the yogurt before mixing to remove excess liquid.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or oven to keep the chicken moist and the rice fluffy. Avoid overcooking during reheating to maintain texture.

How to Serve

A large oval gray plate filled with a base layer of yellow spiced rice mixed with small pieces of vegetables and herbs. On top, there are several browned, grilled chicken pieces scattered around. In the center, there is a thick white yogurt sauce with green herbs mixed in. Garnishing the dish are three slices of green cucumber on the left and right sides, and two lemon wedges placed opposite each other along the plate’s edge. The plate is on a wooden surface with some flatbread stacked nearby and a small white bowl of red cherry tomatoes visible in the background. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Brown rice requires a longer cooking time and more liquid, so it’s not recommended to substitute directly in this recipe without adjustments.

What if I don’t have Greek yogurt?

You can use plain regular yogurt, but Greek yogurt works best for its thickness and tanginess. If using regular yogurt, strain it to remove excess liquid for better consistency.