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Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice Recipe

Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 15 reviews

A flavorful and easy Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice casserole featuring tender chicken, aromatic herbs, and creamy Greek yogurt tzatziki, all baked together in one dish for a hassle-free meal.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Casserole:

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth or water
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill (or 2 teaspoons fresh dill, chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro (for garnish)

For the Tzatziki Base:

  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/3 cup grated cucumber (squeeze out excess water)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
  2. Prepare the baking dish: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking or casserole dish to prevent sticking.
  3. Combine base ingredients: In the baking dish, mix together the uncooked rice, chicken broth (or water), olive oil, minced garlic, dried dill, dried oregano, ground cumin, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to evenly distribute all the seasonings.
  4. Add chicken pieces: Arrange the bite-sized chicken pieces evenly on top of the rice mixture in the baking dish.
  5. Make the tzatziki base: In a small bowl, whisk together the plain Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (with excess water squeezed out), and lemon juice until smooth to form the tzatziki base.
  6. Layer the yogurt mixture: Pour the yogurt mixture evenly over the chicken and rice. Gently spread it using the back of a spoon to cover the top layer evenly.
  7. Cover and bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  8. Add feta cheese (optional): Remove the foil and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the casserole. Return to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes to slightly melt the cheese.
  9. Garnish: After baking, garnish the casserole with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro for a fresh flavor and attractive presentation.
  10. Rest before serving: Let the dish sit for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
  11. Serve: Serve warm, ideally with a crisp salad or warm pita bread on the side for a complete Mediterranean meal.

Notes

  • Use chicken thighs for juicier, more flavorful meat or chicken breasts for a leaner option.
  • Ensure you squeeze excess water from the grated cucumber to avoid watery tzatziki topping.
  • Customize herbs according to preference—fresh herbs provide a brighter taste.
  • For a gluten-free meal, confirm chicken broth is gluten-free or substitute with water.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
  • Oven temperatures may vary; check chicken doneness with a meat thermometer.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken Tzatziki casserole, Greek chicken bake, One-dish chicken recipe, Easy baked chicken with rice, Mediterranean dinner

Find it online: https://victoriablair.com/dump-and-bake-chicken-tzatziki-with-rice-recipe/