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A close-up side view of the Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice in a rectangular ceramic dish, showing the layers of fluffy rice and tender chicken chunks topped with a thick tzatziki sauce.

Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice: Your New Weeknight Obsession

The ultimate one-pan meal! This Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice features tender chicken and fluffy rice baked in broth, topped with a creamy, cool homemade tzatziki sauce, fresh herbs, and feta cheese for an effortless Mediterranean feast.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Greek, Mediterranean
Calories: 485
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts cut into 1-inch chunks (680g)
  • 2 cups Long-Grain White Rice uncooked (400g)
  • 4 cups Low-Sodium Chicken Broth (960ml)
  • 2 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil (30ml)
  • 1 tsp Salt (5g)
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper (2g)
  • 1 cup Full-Fat Plain Greek Yogurt (240g)
  • 1 medium English Cucumber half shredded and squeezed dry, half finely diced
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Dill finely minced (8g)
  • 1 tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice (15ml)
  • 1 clove Garlic minced
  • 0.5 cup Feta Cheese crumbled (60g)
  • 0.25 cup Fresh Flat-Leaf Parsley chopped (15g)

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 inch (23x33 cm) Ceramic Baking Dish
  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 2 Mixing Bowls

Method
 

Preparation and Searing
  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Season chicken chunks with salt and pepper. In a bowl, mix Greek yogurt, shredded/squeezed cucumber, dill, lemon juice, and garlic for the tzatziki. Refrigerate.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken chunks for 2-3 minutes per side until lightly golden-brown.
Baking the Casserole
  1. Spread uncooked rice in a 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with seared chicken. Pour chicken broth over everything. Cover tightly with foil.
  2. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest, still covered, for 10 minutes.
Finishing and Serving
  1. Uncover the dish and fluff the rice and chicken with a fork.
  2. Drizzle generously with the prepared tzatziki sauce. Garnish with diced cucumber, chopped parsley, and crumbled feta. Serve immediately.

Notes

Don't Skip the Sear: Searing the chicken is essential for developing the flavor and texture.
Squeeze That Cucumber: You must squeeze as much water as possible from the shredded cucumber for a thick tzatziki.
Rest is Best: Do not skip the 10-minute resting period for perfectly fluffy rice.
Use Full-Fat Greek Yogurt: Low-fat or regular yogurt will result in a much thinner sauce.
Fresh Herbs are a Must: Use fresh dill and parsley for the best vibrant flavor.