Ultimate Mediterranean Chicken Bowl with Tzatziki and Fresh Veggies
A wholesome and flavor-packed Mediterranean-inspired bowl featuring juicy marinated grilled chicken, fluffy rice or grains, creamy homemade tzatziki, and a colorful mix of fresh veggies. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep.
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 40 minutes
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
2 chicken breasts (or thighs), boneless skinless
3 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp paprika
Salt & black pepper, to taste
For the Tzatziki:
1 cup Greek yogurt (thick, plain)
½ cucumber, grated and squeezed of excess water
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp fresh dill (or mint), chopped
Salt & pepper, to taste
For the Bowl Assembly:
2 cups cooked rice, couscous, or quinoa
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup cucumber, diced
½ red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped
Optional: pita bread or pita chips on the side
Instructions
Marinate the chicken:
In a bowl, whisk olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Add chicken and coat well. Marinate at least 30 minutes (up to overnight in the fridge).
Cook the chicken:
Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook chicken 5–6 minutes per side until golden and fully cooked (internal temp 75°C / 165°F).
Rest 5 minutes, then slice thinly.
Prepare the tzatziki:
In a bowl, mix yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper.
Chill in fridge until ready to serve.
Assemble the bowls:
Start with a base of rice, couscous, or quinoa.
Add sliced chicken on top.
Arrange tomatoes, cucumber, onion, olives, and feta around the bowl.
Drizzle generously with tzatziki.
Garnish & serve:
Sprinkle with parsley.
Serve with warm pita if desired.
Notes & Tips
Make it lighter: Use cauliflower rice instead of grains.
Add crunch: Top with toasted chickpeas or roasted nuts.
For meal prep: Keep tzatziki in a separate container and add when ready to eat.
Chicken alternative: This recipe also works with salmon, shrimp, or falafel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use store-bought tzatziki?
A: Yes, homemade is fresher but store-bought works fine if you’re short on time.
Q: Can I make this vegetarian?
A: Yes—replace chicken with grilled halloumi, roasted chickpeas, or falafel.
Q: How long does this bowl keep?
A: Up to 3 days in the fridge if stored separately.
Nutritional Information
Calories: ~480
Protein: 34g
Carbohydrates: 38g
Fiber: 6g
Sugars: 7g
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Sodium: ~650mg