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Juicy Chicken Tzatziki Rice Bowl

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A quick and healthy Mediterranean-inspired dinner featuring marinated grilled chicken, creamy tzatziki sauce, and fluffy rice, perfect for busy weeknights or hosting friends.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450g), sliced into strips
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 lemon, zested and juiced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and finely grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup long grain white or brown rice (uncooked, about 185g)
  • 2 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • Fresh parsley or mint leaves, roughly chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a medium bowl, combine minced garlic, lemon zest and juice, olive oil, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add sliced chicken breasts and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, ideally up to 1 hour.
  2. Cook the Rice: Rinse 1 cup of rice under cold water until water runs clear. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups water or broth to a boil. Add rice and a pinch of salt, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes (white rice) or 40-45 minutes (brown rice). Fluff with a fork and keep covered.
  3. Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: Peel, seed, and finely grate half a cucumber. Squeeze out excess moisture using a kitchen towel or cheesecloth. In a bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, chopped dill, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and chill until serving.
  4. Cook the Chicken: Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until fully cooked and browned. Use a meat thermometer to ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. Assemble the Bowl: Divide cooked rice between bowls. Top with grilled chicken strips, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, Kalamata olives, and a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley or mint leaves.

Notes

Marinate chicken for at least 15 minutes but no longer than 2 hours to avoid texture changes. Squeeze cucumber dry for thick tzatziki sauce. Let chicken rest after cooking to lock in juices. Use thick Greek yogurt for best sauce texture. Rice can be cooked with broth for extra flavor. Leftovers store well separately and reheat gently.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken tzatziki rice bowl, healthy dinner, Mediterranean bowl, grilled chicken, tzatziki sauce, quick dinner, easy recipe

Find it online: https://cooltastes.com/juicy-chicken-tzatziki-rice-bowl-recipe-easy-healthy-dinner-idea/