Chicken Tzatziki Rice Bake Recipe
This Chicken Tzatziki Rice Bake is a flavorful and wholesome one-dish meal that combines tender marinated chicken, aromatic herbs, and zucchini with fluffy rice, all baked to perfection. Topped with refreshing tzatziki sauce, it’s a delicious Greek-inspired casserole that’s perfect for an easy dinner or family meal.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 1 medium zucchini, coarsely grated (about 1½ cups)
- 2 cups chicken broth (use low-sodium for a healthier option)
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Herbs and Spices
- 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
Serving Suggestions
- Tzatziki sauce
- Pita bread
- Fresh herbs (dill, basil, parsley, or chives)
- Fresh lemon
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or spray it with nonstick cooking spray to ensure the bake doesn’t stick during cooking.
- Marinate the Chicken: In the prepared dish, combine the diced chicken with lemon juice, olive oil, and all the herbs and spices. Mix well to coat the chicken evenly. Let it marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes while you preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Add Rice, Zucchini, and Broth: To the marinated chicken, add the uncooked rice, grated zucchini, and chicken broth. Stir everything together thoroughly to distribute all ingredients evenly throughout the dish.
- Bake the Casserole: 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, continue baking for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to ensure complete cooking.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the foil and fluff the rice gently with a fork to keep it light and airy. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve the bake topped with tzatziki sauce, fresh herbs, and a squeeze of fresh lemon for added brightness.
Notes
- Allow the chicken to marinate for the full 30 minutes to enhance the flavor and tenderness.
- Feel free to customize the herb blend to suit your taste preferences by mixing different fresh or dried herbs.
- Adjust baking time depending on your oven’s heat distribution for the best results.
- Always fluff the rice with a fork after baking to keep the texture light and fluffy rather than mushy.
- Using low-sodium chicken broth can help reduce the overall salt content of the dish for a healthier option.
Keywords: Casserole, Chicken Bake, Easy Dinner, family meal, tzatziki, Greek cuisine, one-dish meal
Find it online: https://liamjayne.com/chicken-tzatziki-rice-bake-recipe/
