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- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs - 1 cup long grain rice - 1 ¾ cups chicken broth - 1 cup Greek yogurt - ½ cucumber, grated - 2 garlic cloves, minced - 1 tablespoon fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - 1 teaspoon olive oil - Salt and pepper to taste - 1 teaspoon paprika - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved - Fresh parsley for garnish In this dish, I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs. They stay juicy and tender. I also use long grain rice. It cooks well in the broth. Speaking of broth, I choose chicken broth for great flavor. For the tzatziki sauce, I mix Greek yogurt with grated cucumber and minced garlic. This sauce adds a fresh taste. I use fresh dill for a nice herb flavor. You can swap it for dried dill if needed. Next, I add seasonings. A splash of lemon juice brightens the dish. Olive oil adds richness, while salt, pepper, and paprika bring warmth. The cherry tomatoes add color and sweetness. Lastly, I garnish with fresh parsley. It makes the dish look beautiful and adds a fresh touch. This simple meal is packed with flavor and easy to make. You’ll love how it all comes together! {{ingredient_image_1}} - Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). This step ensures your dish cooks evenly. - In a large baking dish, spread 1 cup of long grain rice evenly at the bottom. This rice will absorb all the tasty flavors. - Pour 1 ¾ cups of chicken broth over the rice. Season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir gently to mix. This mix creates a flavorful base. - Place 1 pound of boneless, skinless chicken thighs on top of the rice. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. This adds flavor directly to the meat. - In a small bowl, combine 1 cup of Greek yogurt, ½ grated cucumber, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon fresh dill, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and 1 teaspoon olive oil. Mix until smooth. This is your tzatziki sauce. - Spoon half of the tzatziki sauce over the chicken. Save the rest for serving later. This keeps the chicken moist and adds a fresh taste. - Scatter 1 cup of halved cherry tomatoes around the chicken. The tomatoes add a sweet touch to the dish. - Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake for 30-35 minutes. This helps steam the chicken and rice. - After baking, remove the dish from the oven. Let it sit covered for 5 minutes. Then, fluff the rice with a fork. This makes the rice light and fluffy. - Drizzle the reserved tzatziki sauce over the top before serving. This adds a creamy finish that ties all the flavors together. To ensure your chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). This keeps the meat safe and juicy. If you don’t have a thermometer, cut into the chicken. It should be white with no pink inside. You can adjust seasonings to taste. If you love garlic, add more minced garlic to the tzatziki. If you want a zesty kick, add extra lemon juice. Always taste as you go. This makes sure the flavors are just right for you. For a beautiful presentation, serve the dish right from the baking dish. This keeps it warm and cozy. You can also plate it individually for a fancy touch. Garnish each plate with chopped parsley and extra cucumber slices for color and crunch. Great side dishes include a simple salad or roasted vegetables. A Greek salad pairs nicely with the tzatziki flavor. Some warm pita bread can also make a great addition. Preparing tzatziki sauce in advance can save you time. You can make it a day before. Just store it in the fridge until you're ready to use it. This allows the flavors to blend and taste even better. Using pre-cooked chicken options is another great time-saver. You can find rotisserie chicken at many stores. Just shred it and add it to the dish. This cuts down on cooking time and still gives you a tasty meal. Pro Tips Perfectly Cooked Rice: To ensure the rice cooks evenly, make sure it is spread out in an even layer at the bottom of the baking dish before adding the broth. Marinating Chicken: For extra flavor, consider marinating the chicken thighs in the tzatziki sauce for at least 30 minutes before baking. Fresh Herbs: Use fresh dill instead of dried for a more vibrant flavor in the tzatziki sauce. You can also experiment with other herbs like mint. Serving Suggestions: Pair the dish with a simple side salad or warm pita bread to complement the flavors of the tzatziki. {{image_2}} You can use other proteins instead of chicken thighs. Chicken breast is a leaner choice. Shrimp also works well. Just adjust the cooking time. For the rice, you can choose different types. Brown rice adds more fiber. Jasmine rice gives a nice aroma. Quinoa is a great gluten-free option too. Adding vegetables can boost nutrition and flavor. Try bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach. Mix in these veggies before baking. You can also change the tzatziki sauce. Add more garlic for a stronger taste. For a spicy kick, mix in some chili flakes. If you need gluten-free options, use gluten-free rice. Always check the broth label to ensure it's safe. For dairy-free tzatziki, swap Greek yogurt with a plant-based yogurt. Coconut yogurt adds a nice twist. You can also use mashed avocado for creaminess. Store leftovers in an airtight container. This keeps the dish fresh and tasty. You can refrigerate it for up to three days. Label your container with the date. This helps you track how long it has been stored. To freeze this dish, let it cool completely first. Then, place it in a freezer-safe container. You can freeze it for up to three months. For the best taste, avoid freezing the tzatziki sauce. When you’re ready to eat, thaw the dish in the fridge overnight. Reheat leftovers in the oven or microwave. For the oven, set it to 350°F (175°C) and cover the dish. Heat for about 20 minutes. In the microwave, use a microwave-safe dish. Heat in short bursts, stirring in between, until hot. This keeps the flavor and texture just right. Yes, you can use other types of rice. Here are some good options: - Jasmine rice - Basmati rice - Brown rice (may need extra liquid) - Quinoa (adjust cooking time) Each type will change the dish's texture and flavor slightly. Experiment and see what you like best! This dish pairs well with simple sides. Here are some ideas: - Greek salad with cucumbers and tomatoes - Roasted vegetables like zucchini or bell peppers - Pita bread for dipping in tzatziki - A light soup, like a lemon chicken soup These sides complement the flavors and add variety to your meal. Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice lasts up to four days in the fridge. - Store it in an airtight container. - Let it cool before sealing. - If it smells or looks off, don't eat it. Always check for freshness before enjoying leftovers! This blog post covered a simple and tasty Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice recipe. You learned about the main ingredients, prep steps, and cooking tips. The tzatziki sauce adds a fresh touch. Feel free to customize it with your favorite proteins and spices. Remember to store leftovers properly and enjoy them later. Cooking shouldn’t be hard, and this dish makes it easy to serve a delicious meal that everyone will love. Happy cooking!

Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice

A simple and delicious one-pan meal featuring chicken thighs, rice, and a refreshing tzatziki sauce.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 4
Calories 400 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup long grain rice
  • 1.75 cups chicken broth
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 0.5 cucumber grated
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • to taste salt and pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • for garnish fresh parsley

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  • In a large baking dish, place the rice evenly at the bottom.
  • Pour the chicken broth over the rice, then season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Stir gently to combine.
  • Add the boneless chicken thighs on top of the rice and broth mixture. Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste.
  • In a small bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, fresh dill, lemon juice, and olive oil to create the tzatziki sauce. Stir until smooth.
  • Spoon half of the tzatziki sauce over the chicken, reserving the rest for serving.
  • Scatter the cherry tomatoes around the chicken and on top of the rice mixture.
  • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30-35 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
  • Remove the dish from the oven, let it sit covered for 5 minutes, then fluff the rice with a fork.
  • Drizzle the reserved tzatziki sauce over the top before serving.

Notes

Serve the dish directly from the baking dish or plate it individually. Garnish with chopped parsley and additional cucumber slices for a fresh touch.
Keyword bake, chicken, rice, tzatziki