Easy Chicken Tzatziki Rice Bake
Description:
This easy Chicken Tzatziki Rice Bake combines the creamy, garlicky goodness of tzatziki sauce with tender chicken, seasoned rice, and vegetables — all baked in one dish for a delicious Mediterranean-inspired dinner. It’s perfect for busy weeknights and makes excellent leftovers.
Ingredients (Serves 4–6):
For the Bake:
2 cups cooked basmati or jasmine rice
2 chicken breasts, diced (about 1 lb)
1/2 cup red onion, diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup cucumber, chopped
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp dried oregano
Salt & pepper to taste
1 tbsp olive oil
For the Homemade Tzatziki Sauce:
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 cup grated cucumber (squeeze out water)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh dill or 1 tsp dried
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt to taste
Instructions:
Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce:
Mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, dill, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt in a bowl.
Set aside in the fridge while assembling the rest.
Cook Chicken:
In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil.
Cook diced chicken with garlic powder, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper for about 5–7 minutes, until browned (doesn’t need to be fully cooked).
Assemble the Bake:
In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked rice, sautéed chicken, onions, tomatoes, cucumber, and half the feta.
Mix in about 2/3 of the tzatziki sauce (save the rest for topping).
Transfer everything to a greased 9 X1 3rd baking dish.
Bake:
Top with remaining feta.
Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes until bubbly and golden.
Serve:
Spoon extra tzatziki over the top.
Garnish with fresh dill or parsley if desired.
Time Required:
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Nutritional Info (Per Serving, based on 6 servings):
Calories: ~410 kcal
Protein: 28g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fat: 18g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: ~500mg
Common Questions & Answers:
Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can assemble everything (except the feta topping) a day ahead, cover, and refrigerate. Add feta and bake when ready to eat.
Q: Can I use rotisserie chicken?
A: Definitely. Just skip the sauté step and mix shredded rotisserie chicken directly into the rice mix.
Q: Is there a dairy-free version?
A: Use coconut yogurt for the tzatziki and a dairy-free feta substitute or omit cheese altogether.
Q: What can I serve with this dish?
A: It pairs well with pita bread, olives, and a Greek salad.
Q: Can I freeze leftovers?
A: Yes, store in an airtight container for up to 2 months. Reheat in oven or microwa
ve.