Description
This Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki is an effortless one-dish meal that combines tender chicken breast, flavorful rice, and creamy tzatziki sauce into a comforting Mediterranean-inspired bake. With simple spices and fresh garnishes like feta and cucumber, it’s a perfect weeknight dinner that requires minimal prep and delivers maximum flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 375 ml low-sodium chicken broth
- 680 g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
- 240 ml tzatziki sauce
Garnish
- 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced (optional)
- 60 g crumbled feta cheese
- 30 g chopped fresh parsley or dill
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) and lightly grease a 33 x 23 cm (13 x 9 inch) baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Layer rice and broth: Spread the uncooked long-grain white rice evenly into the prepared baking dish. Pour the low-sodium chicken broth over the rice, ensuring all grains are submerged to allow for even cooking.
- Add chicken and seasonings: Distribute the bite-sized chicken breast pieces evenly over the rice. Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and paprika evenly over the chicken to infuse it with Mediterranean flavors.
- Top with tzatziki sauce: Spoon the tzatziki sauce over the chicken pieces, spreading lightly to ensure the entire surface is coated. This adds creaminess and signature tang to the dish.
- Cover and bake: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam and bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and the rice is tender. If there is excess moisture remaining, remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 5 to 10 minutes to allow the liquid to evaporate.
- Rest and garnish: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with crumbled feta cheese, chopped fresh parsley or dill, and thinly sliced cucumber for fresh crunch and color.
- Serve: Serve the bake warm as a wholesome, flavorful meal that requires minimal effort but delivers satisfying results.
Notes
- You can substitute brown rice, but increase the baking time and broth accordingly since it takes longer to cook.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken briefly in some lemon juice and olive oil before baking.
- Tzatziki sauce can be store-bought or homemade; homemade will add extra freshness.
- If you like a little heat, add a pinch of cayenne or chili flakes to the seasoning mix.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
