If you’ve been searching for a dish that perfectly marries comfort and fresh Mediterranean flavors, look no further than this Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice Recipe. It’s a wonderfully simple, one-pan wonder where tender chicken meets fluffy rice, all enhanced by a creamy, herby tzatziki sauce that adds a cool, refreshing contrast. This recipe feels like a warm hug on a plate but is incredibly easy to throw together, making it ideal for busy weeknights or casual weekend dinners with friends and family. Trust me, once you try this, it’s going to become one of your absolute favorites in the rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice Recipe plays a vital role to bring you a dish that’s bursting with flavor and color, while keeping things easy and approachable. These essentials complement each other perfectly, creating layers of taste and texture that feel both fresh and homey.
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Provides lean, juicy protein that complements the creamy sauce.
- 1 cup long-grain rice (uncooked): Absorbs all the delicious cooking juices, creating tender, fluffy grains.
- 2 cups chicken broth: Adds rich flavor and moisture to the rice as it bakes.
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt: The base for the creamy, tangy tzatziki sauce.
- 1 cucumber, grated: Adds refreshing crunch and moisture to the sauce without overpowering it.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced: Brings a subtle pungency that brightens up the tzatziki.
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice: Adds a zesty brightness that lifts the entire dish.
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill): Infuses the tzatziki with authentic Mediterranean herbaceous notes.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances all the flavors naturally.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper: Adds a gentle heat to the chicken seasoning.
- 1 teaspoon paprika: Gives depth and a warm, smoky touch to the chicken.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil: Helps keep the chicken moist and adds a fruity richness.
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional for garnish): Adds vibrant color and a juicy pop to the finished dish.
- Fresh mint leaves, for garnish (optional): Adds a cool, fragrant finish that pairs beautifully with the tzatziki.
How to Make Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Begin the journey by preheating your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). This temperature is perfect for baking the chicken and rice evenly without drying anything out, setting the stage for a succulent, tender meal.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Place the chicken breasts in a large baking dish, then drizzle with olive oil. Season well with salt, black pepper, and paprika. This simple seasoning creates a flavorful, slightly smoky crust that complements the creamy tzatziki later on.
Step 3: Add the Rice
Scatter the uncooked long-grain rice evenly around the chicken breasts in the baking dish. This ensures every grain soaks up the cooking juices equally, resulting in perfectly tender rice infused with the chicken’s savory flavors.
Step 4: Mix and Pour Broth
In a separate bowl, combine the chicken broth and fresh lemon juice. Pour this mixture gently over the chicken and rice in the dish. The broth keeps everything moist while the lemon juice adds a subtle zing that brightens the final dish.
Step 5: Cover and Bake
Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. This traps the steam inside, which is key for cooking the rice through perfectly and maintaining juicy chicken breasts. Bake in your preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
Step 6: Make the Tzatziki Sauce
While your chicken and rice bake, whisk together the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, chopped dill, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. This cool, creamy sauce will add a fresh, tangy contrast to your warm, savory bake.
Step 7: Final Cooking Touches
After baking, remove the foil and check the chicken’s internal temperature, which should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit (75 degrees Celsius). If you find the rice isn’t quite tender enough, cover the dish again and bake for an extra 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after taking it out of the oven, then slice it up. Plate the chicken and rice, generously spoon the tzatziki sauce over the top, and garnish with halved cherry tomatoes and fresh mint leaves if you like. This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice Recipe is ready to impress with minimal fuss!
How to Serve Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice Recipe
Garnishes
Garnishing this dish brings it to life visually and flavor-wise. Bright red cherry tomatoes add juicy bursts of sweetness while fresh mint leaves introduce a refreshing herbal note. These garnishes complement the creamy tzatziki and smoky chicken wonderfully, creating a balanced plate that looks as good as it tastes.
Side Dishes
This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice Recipe is a complete meal on its own, but you can elevate it further with simple sides like a crisp Greek salad or roasted vegetables. A warm pita bread served alongside also makes for perfect scoops of tzatziki and tender chicken bites.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve this recipe family-style by baking it in a colorful ceramic dish and letting everyone help themselves. Alternatively, plate it individually and drizzle some extra tzatziki in an artistic swirl on top, garnished with a lemon wedge for an aesthetic, restaurant-quality touch.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (which might be rare!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The rice and chicken maintain their texture well, and the tzatziki will keep its brightness, though you may want to add a little fresh cucumber or herbs when serving again.
Freezing
This recipe freezes beautifully. Portion the chicken and rice into freezer-safe containers and add a separate container of tzatziki. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to preserve the dish’s texture and flavors perfectly.
Reheating
Reheat the chicken and rice gently in the microwave or a low oven to avoid drying out the meat. Add a spoonful of broth or olive oil before warming to keep things moist. Add fresh tzatziki just before serving for that authentic cool contrast every time.
FAQs
Can I use brown rice instead of white long-grain rice?
Yes, you can. Just know that brown rice takes longer to cook, so you’ll need to increase the baking time and possibly add more broth to make sure the rice cooks through properly.
Is it necessary to cover the dish with foil while baking?
Absolutely. Covering the dish traps steam, which is essential for cooking the rice evenly and keeping the chicken moist and tender.
Can I prepare the tzatziki sauce ahead of time?
Definitely! Tzatziki actually tastes even better after sitting for a few hours or overnight because the flavors meld beautifully. Just keep it refrigerated until serving.
What if I don’t have fresh dill? Can I use dried instead?
You can use dried dill, but use less—about one-third of the amount—since dried herbs are more concentrated. Fresh dill is preferable for a brighter, fresher taste.
Can I add vegetables to the baking dish?
Yes! Cherry tomatoes, sliced bell peppers, or zucchini can be added around the chicken and rice. They’ll roast nicely alongside and add more flavor and nutrition to your dish.
Final Thoughts
This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice Recipe is one of those magical meals that delivers big on flavor and ease without any complicated steps. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do sharing it because it really brings together the best of hearty comfort food and fresh, bright Mediterranean tastes. Give it a go—you’ll be surprised at how quickly this can become your new go-to weeknight winner!
Print
Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice recipe is an easy, one-dish meal combining tender baked chicken breasts with flavorful rice, all topped with a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce. Perfect for a simple yet impressive dinner, this recipe blends Mediterranean flavors with a fuss-free baking method to deliver juicy chicken, moist rice, and creamy, herby sauce in one convenient bake.
Ingredients
Chicken and Rice
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup long-grain rice (uncooked)
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 cucumber, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
- Pinch of salt
Garnish (Optional)
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it is at the right temperature for baking the chicken and rice.
- Prepare Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a large baking dish. Drizzle them with olive oil, then season evenly with salt, black pepper, and paprika to enhance flavor.
- Add Rice: Evenly spread the uncooked rice around the chicken breasts in the baking dish, making sure the rice surrounds the chicken for even cooking.
- Mix Broth and Lemon Juice: In a separate bowl, combine the chicken broth with the lemon juice, then pour this mixture over the chicken and rice to provide moisture and subtle citrus flavor.
- Cover Dish: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam and moisture for perfectly cooked chicken and rice.
- Bake: Place the covered dish into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) and the rice is tender.
- Prepare Tzatziki Sauce: While baking, mix the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, fresh dill, and a pinch of salt in a medium bowl. Stir well to combine into a creamy sauce.
- Finish Cooking: After the initial baking time, remove the foil and check doneness. If necessary, re-cover and bake another 5-10 minutes to fully cook rice.
- Rest Chicken: Take the dish out of the oven and let it sit for a few minutes before slicing the chicken to keep it juicy.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve the chicken and rice on plates, generously drizzled with tzatziki sauce. Garnish with halved cherry tomatoes and fresh mint leaves if desired for added freshness and color.
Notes
- Make sure to slice the chicken after resting to retain its juices.
- You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts if preferred; adjust cooking time accordingly.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to better control sodium levels in the dish.
- For a thicker tzatziki, strain the grated cucumber to remove excess liquid before mixing.
- This dish can be made ahead by preparing the tzatziki sauce in advance and baking just before serving.
