Description
This easy dump and bake chicken tzatziki rice casserole combines juicy chicken, creamy tzatziki, and fluffy rice with classic Mediterranean flavors in a single dish. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a crowd, it delivers bold Greek-inspired taste with minimal effort and cleanup.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup basmati or long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 1 cup tzatziki sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 3/4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste (start with 1/2 teaspoon each)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- Fresh dill or parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with olive oil or nonstick spray.
- Rinse the rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
- In the baking dish or a large mixing bowl, combine rinsed rice, chicken broth, lemon juice, olive oil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Scatter halved cherry tomatoes and sliced red onion over the rice mixture.
- Nestle the chicken pieces evenly over the rice and veggies. Sprinkle with a little extra salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lemon if desired.
- Evenly scatter minced garlic over the chicken, then dollop tzatziki sauce across the top.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
- Remove the foil carefully and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temp) and the rice is tender.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh dill or parsley if desired.
Notes
Always rinse your rice for the best texture. Layer ingredients as directed for even cooking. Use a tight foil seal to trap steam. Let the casserole rest before serving for fluffier rice. For extra flavor, add crumbled feta or kalamata olives before serving. Easily adapt for dairy-free or vegetarian diets by swapping tzatziki or chicken for alternatives.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/6 of the pan
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 2.5
- Carbohydrates: 42
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: chicken, tzatziki, rice, Mediterranean, casserole, dump and bake, easy dinner, Greek, one pan, meal prep, gluten-free