Description
Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice is a simple, flavorful one-dish meal combining tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. Perfect for an effortless dinner, this recipe bakes everything together for juicy, seasoned chicken with aromatic rice and a refreshing cucumber yogurt topping.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Rice
- 1.5 lbs chicken breasts or thighs
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup rice (white long grain recommended)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 cucumber, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Prepare rice and chicken: Spread the rice evenly in the bottom of the casserole dish, then place the chicken pieces on top. Season everything well with salt and black pepper.
- Make tzatziki sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, fresh dill, and lemon juice. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
- Assemble dish: Spoon the tzatziki sauce evenly over the chicken and rice. Pour the chicken broth carefully over everything. Cover the dish tightly with foil to lock in moisture.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 50 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is fluffy and tender.
- Serve: Remove the foil and let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy warm for a comforting meal.
Notes
- For a healthier option, use brown rice to increase fiber content.
- Add diced zucchini or sliced vegetables for additional nutrition and flavor.
- Ensure chicken is fully cooked by checking that the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Grate the cucumber finely and squeeze out excess moisture to avoid watery tzatziki.
- Fresh dill can be substituted with dried dill if needed, but use half the quantity.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
