The creamy, tangy tzatziki sauce brings the chicken and rice together in the most delightful way. As the chicken bakes, it absorbs all the rich flavors of the yogurt, garlic, cucumber, and dill, creating a juicy and flavorful bite every time. The rice, perfectly tender and infused with the zesty sauce, takes on a soft, comforting texture that balances out the crisp, seasoned chicken. You’ll notice how the scent of garlic and fresh herbs fills your kitchen as it all bakes to perfection, making it feel like a cozy Mediterranean getaway without leaving your home. Each forkful is a little bite of sunshine, and the best part? It’s all done in one pan, making clean-up a breeze.
Key Ingredients in Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice
Every ingredient in this dish works together to create the ultimate blend of flavors and textures. From the juicy chicken to the creamy tzatziki sauce, each element adds something special to the final result.
– Chicken breast
Tender and lean, chicken breast is the star of the dish. As it bakes, it soaks up the rich, tangy flavors of the tzatziki, staying moist and flavorful throughout the process.
– Olive oil
A touch of olive oil helps to keep the chicken juicy and ensures it doesn’t stick to the pan. Plus, it adds a subtle richness that enhances the overall flavor.
– Long grain white rice
The perfect base for this one-pan meal, long grain white rice cooks up fluffy and tender. It absorbs the flavors from the broth and tzatziki, making every bite comforting and satisfying.
– Chicken broth
The chicken broth infuses the rice with savory goodness, making it the ideal cooking liquid for tender, flavorful rice. It also helps to keep the chicken moist as it bakes.
– Garlic powder
This adds a mild, aromatic garlic flavor to the dish without being too overpowering. It complements the fresh garlic in the tzatziki sauce perfectly.
– Onion powder
A pantry staple, onion powder deepens the overall savory notes of the dish, providing a gentle, rounded flavor to the rice and chicken.
– Dried oregano
Oregano brings a warm, earthy flavor with a hint of bitterness, which enhances the Mediterranean flavors in the dish, pairing wonderfully with the tzatziki sauce.
– Dried dill
Dill is the heart of the tzatziki sauce, giving it that distinct, refreshing flavor. It’s also a perfect match for the chicken, balancing the richness of the yogurt and feta.
– Salt
A touch of salt is essential to enhance all the flavors and bring out the natural savory notes in the chicken, rice, and tzatziki sauce.
– Black pepper
Freshly ground black pepper adds a mild heat and complexity to the dish, rounding out the seasoning without overwhelming the other flavors.
– Tzatziki sauce
The star of the dish! Tzatziki adds creaminess, tang, and a burst of freshness from the cucumber, garlic, and dill, making each bite truly irresistible.
– Feta cheese
Crumbled feta cheese brings a tangy, briny bite that contrasts beautifully with the creamy tzatziki and complements the other flavors in the dish.
– Cucumber
The diced cucumber adds a cool, crisp texture that pairs perfectly with the creamy sauce. It also contributes to the fresh, Mediterranean feel of the dish.
– Fresh parsley
Chopped parsley adds a pop of color and a fresh, herbal finish that brightens up the rich, savory flavors of the dish. It’s the perfect garnish to tie everything together.
How to Make Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Get your oven nice and hot, so it’s ready to bake the chicken and rice to perfection.
2. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a light coating of olive oil.
This will help prevent anything from sticking and make cleanup easier.
3. Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into the baking dish.
Arrange them neatly so they’re ready for the flavorful seasoning.
4. Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the chicken breasts.
The olive oil will help keep the chicken juicy and enhance the flavor as it bakes.
5. Sprinkle the garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried dill, salt, and black pepper over the chicken breasts.
Season the chicken generously with these aromatic spices for a burst of Mediterranean flavor.
6. Pour the long grain white rice evenly around the chicken in the baking dish.
Make sure the rice is spread out evenly so it can absorb the savory chicken broth.
7. Pour the chicken broth over the rice and chicken, ensuring the rice is mostly submerged in the liquid.
The chicken broth will infuse the rice with flavor, creating a deliciously tender base.
8. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
This step locks in moisture, ensuring the chicken cooks through and the rice steams to fluffy perfection.
9. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes.
Let the magic happen in the oven while the chicken and rice start to cook and absorb those rich flavors.
10. After 40 minutes, remove the aluminum foil from the baking dish.
This allows the chicken to get a little golden on top and helps the rice absorb any remaining liquid.
11. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes to allow the rice to fully cook and absorb any remaining liquid.
This ensures that the rice is tender and the flavors meld together.
12. While the chicken and rice are baking, prepare the tzatziki sauce, feta cheese, cucumber, and parsley.
This will save you time, so everything is ready to go once the chicken is done.
13. Once the chicken is done, remove the baking dish from the oven.
It’s time to check that everything is cooked through and looking golden brown.
14. Shred the chicken breasts with two forks directly in the dish, mixing them with the rice.
This will combine the juicy chicken with the fluffy rice for a beautiful texture.
15. Pour the tzatziki sauce over the shredded chicken and rice mixture, stirring gently to combine.
The creamy tzatziki will bind everything together and add that fresh, tangy kick.
16. Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese, diced cucumber, and chopped parsley over the top.
These fresh ingredients will add a burst of color, flavor, and texture to the dish.
17. Serve immediately, ensuring each portion gets a good mix of chicken, rice, and toppings.
Enjoy the warm, comforting, and vibrant flavors of your homemade Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice!
Serving Suggestions for Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice
– Pair with a crisp side salad – The fresh, zesty flavors of a simple salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and a lemony vinaigrette perfectly complement the creamy richness of the chicken and tzatziki. It adds a refreshing crunch that balances out the dish!
– Serve with warm pita bread – For a truly Mediterranean experience, serve this dish with warm, pillowy pita bread on the side. It’s perfect for scooping up any extra tzatziki sauce and rice, making every bite even more enjoyable.
– Top with extra feta and olives – Want to elevate the dish? Add a few more crumbles of feta cheese and a handful of black olives for a salty, briny contrast. It adds depth to the flavors and gives a nod to classic Greek cuisine.
How to Store Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice
Storing this dish properly will help maintain all those vibrant flavors and textures for the next day (or even later in the week!). Here’s how to keep it fresh and delicious:
– Refrigerate leftovers: Allow the dish to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The rice and chicken will continue to absorb the tzatziki sauce, making each bite even more flavorful. When reheating, add a splash of water or chicken broth to keep everything nice and moist.
– Freeze for later: If you want to stretch the meal further, you can freeze it! Pack the chicken and rice mixture into a freezer-safe container and store it for up to 3 months. Be sure to leave a little room at the top of the container, as the rice will expand when frozen. To reheat, simply thaw overnight in the fridge and warm it in the oven or on the stovetop.
– Keep the tzatziki separate: If you’re planning to store leftovers, it’s best to keep the tzatziki sauce separate from the chicken and rice. The fresh, creamy sauce can lose its texture if mixed in before storing. Store it in a small airtight container in the fridge, and add it to your reheated dish when you’re ready to enjoy!
Now, you can savor the flavors of this dish even after the initial meal, whether you’re enjoying it as a quick lunch or a comforting dinner later in the week!
Conclusion
And there you have it—your very own Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice! I can already imagine the delicious aromas wafting through your kitchen as this dish comes together. It’s so comforting, fresh, and bursting with Mediterranean flavors. Whether you’re making it for a weeknight dinner or a special gathering, it’s bound to be a hit!
You’ve got tender, juicy chicken, fluffy rice, and that creamy, tangy tzatziki sauce that ties everything together perfectly. It’s all baked in one pan, making cleanup a breeze and the entire experience stress-free—who doesn’t love that, right?
Now, if you try this recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Drop a comment or ask any questions if you need a little help along the way. Did you add any of your own twists? Or maybe you’ve got some feedback to make it even better? I’m all ears!
Happy cooking, and enjoy every single bite of this vibrant, mouthwatering dish!
Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice
Description
Tender chicken, fluffy rice, and creamy tzatziki come together in a one-pan wonder! With bright, tangy flavors from cucumber and garlic, this easy, dump-and-bake dish is a quick, flavorful feast that’ll leave you craving more.
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
-
Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or a light coating of olive oil.
-
Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts into the baking dish.
-
Drizzle the olive oil evenly over the chicken breasts.
-
Sprinkle the garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, dried dill, salt, and black pepper over the chicken breasts.
-
Pour the long grain white rice evenly around the chicken in the baking dish.
-
Pour the chicken broth over the rice and chicken, ensuring the rice is mostly submerged in the liquid.
-
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
-
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40 minutes.
-
After 40 minutes, remove the aluminum foil from the baking dish.
-
Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes to allow the rice to fully cook and absorb any remaining liquid.
-
While the chicken and rice are baking, prepare the tzatziki sauce, feta cheese, cucumber, and parsley.
-
Once the chicken is done, remove the baking dish from the oven.
-
Shred the chicken breasts with two forks directly in the dish, mixing them with the rice.
-
Pour the tzatziki sauce over the shredded chicken and rice mixture, stirring gently to combine.
-
Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese, diced cucumber, and chopped parsley over the top.
-
Serve immediately, ensuring each portion gets a good mix of chicken, rice, and toppings.
Note
- For a more flavorful dish, marinate the chicken breasts in olive oil, garlic powder, and oregano for at least 30 minutes before baking.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt content in the recipe.
- To make the rice extra fluffy, rinse it under cold water before adding it to the dish.
- You can swap the feta cheese for goat cheese or even omit it for a dairy-free version.
- For added crunch, sprinkle toasted almonds or sunflower seeds on top before serving.
