Print

Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice Recipe

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

A quick and flavorful Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice recipe that combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, and creamy homemade tzatziki in one easy oven-baked dish. Perfect for busy weeknights, this Mediterranean-inspired meal is wholesome, family-friendly, and requires minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Rice

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (even-sized pieces)
  • 1 cup long grain rice, rinsed
  • 2 cups water or chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Tzatziki Sauce

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cucumber, freshly grated and drained
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Prep the Chicken and Rice: Season chicken breasts with olive oil, dried oregano, salt, pepper, and minced garlic. In a baking dish, evenly spread the rinsed long grain rice along the bottom. Arrange the seasoned chicken pieces on top. Pour water or chicken broth gently over the rice, ensuring it is fully submerged to allow perfect cooking of the rice while baking.
  2. Bake the Dish: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil to trap steam and moisture. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 40-45 minutes until the chicken is thoroughly cooked and the rice has absorbed the liquid. Avoid removing the foil too early to keep the chicken tender and juicy.
  3. Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: While baking, grate the cucumber and squeeze out excess moisture using a cloth or paper towel. In a bowl, mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Stir well and refrigerate to let the flavors meld.
  4. Serve and Enjoy: Once the chicken and rice are done, fluff the rice gently with a fork. Serve the chicken over the rice topped with a generous dollop of fresh tzatziki. The creamy sauce complements the savory chicken and fluffy rice for a delicious Mediterranean meal.

Notes

  • Choose even-sized chicken pieces for consistent cooking.
  • Cover with foil while baking to retain steam and moisture.
  • Drain cucumber thoroughly to keep tzatziki creamy and not watery.
  • Let the tzatziki chill before serving to intensify flavors.
  • Use chicken broth instead of water for extra savory rice flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: dump and bake, chicken tzatziki, easy weeknight dinner, Mediterranean chicken, one dish meal, healthy chicken recipe, baked chicken with rice

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