Easy Chicken Tzatziki Rice Bake Recipe
This Easy Chicken Tzatziki Rice Bake is a flavorful and wholesome one-pan meal combining tender marinated chicken, fragrant herbs, tender zucchini, and fluffy rice baked to perfection. Finished with fresh tzatziki sauce and herbs, it makes a delicious Mediterranean-inspired dinner that’s simple to prepare and packed with vibrant flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 30 minutes marinating)
- Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
- Total Time: 80 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano (or ½ teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme (or ¼ teaspoon dried)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Other Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 1 medium zucchini, coarsely grated (about 1½ cups)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- Tzatziki sauce (for serving)
- Pita bread (for serving)
- Fresh herbs (dill, basil, parsley, or chives, for garnish)
- Fresh lemon (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking during baking.
- Marinate Chicken: In the prepared dish, combine the diced chicken with lemon juice, olive oil, fresh and dried herbs, and all the spices. Stir well to coat the chicken evenly. Let it marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes while you preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Combine Ingredients: Add the uncooked long grain white rice, coarsely grated zucchini, and chicken broth to the baking dish with the marinated chicken. Stir everything together thoroughly to mix the ingredients evenly.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is mostly absorbed. If necessary, bake for an additional 5 to 10 minutes until fully cooked.
- Final Steps: Remove the foil and fluff the rice gently with a fork. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve the bake topped with tzatziki sauce, a sprinkle of fresh herbs, and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Accompany with warm pita bread for a complete meal.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken enhances the flavor and tenderness but can be done for shorter or longer periods as desired.
- Using boneless, skinless chicken thighs may provide more moisture and tenderness compared to breast.
- If you prefer, substitute the long grain white rice with jasmine or basmati rice, adjusting liquid and time as needed.
- Covering tightly with foil ensures even steaming and prevents drying out the dish while baking.
- Tzatziki sauce can be store-bought or homemade; fresh herbs for garnish add brightness.
- For a spicier dish, adjust the cayenne pepper quantity to your taste.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; just increase baking time slightly if baking from cold.
Keywords: chicken bake, tzatziki rice bake, Mediterranean chicken recipe, baked chicken and rice, healthy chicken dinner
