Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki and Rice Recipe
This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki and Rice recipe offers a simple, flavorful one-dish meal featuring tender marinated chicken, aromatic spices, and fluffy rice baked together with zucchini. It’s perfect for a hassle-free weeknight dinner, delivering Greek-inspired flavors with minimal prep and an easy dump-and-bake method.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast or boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced into bite-size pieces
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or ½ teaspoon dried parsley flakes)
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano (or ½ teaspoon dried oregano)
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme (or ¼ teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¾ teaspoon seasoned salt (such as Lawry’s brand)
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Rice and Vegetables
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 1 medium zucchini, coarsely grated (about 1 ½ cups grated)
- 2 cups chicken broth
For Serving
- Tzatziki sauce
- Fresh herbs
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with oil or spray it with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Marinate the Chicken: In the prepared dish, toss the diced chicken breast or thighs with lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, oregano, thyme, smoked paprika, seasoned salt, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, turmeric, and cayenne pepper. Allow the chicken to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes while you preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Add Rice and Zucchini: After marinating, add the uncooked long grain white rice, coarsely grated zucchini, and chicken broth to the baking dish. Stir everything together to combine evenly.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap moisture and ensure the rice cooks properly. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes if using a metal pan, or 50-60 minutes if using glass or ceramic. The cooking time varies slightly depending on the material of the baking dish.
- Check and Fluff Rice: When done, the rice should be tender and most of the liquid absorbed. Use a fork to fluff the rice and stir gently to mix the rice and chicken.
- Season and Serve: Taste the dish and add additional salt and pepper if desired. Serve warm topped with tzatziki sauce, fresh herbs, and lemon wedges for a refreshing finish.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken at room temperature helps it absorb maximum flavor and shortens cooking time.
- Covering the dish tightly with foil is essential to prevent drying and ensure the rice cooks thoroughly by steaming.
- Cooking times vary based on the type of baking dish; metal pans cook faster than glass or ceramic.
- Use fresh herbs if possible for the best flavor, but dried herbs work as a convenient substitute.
- For a lower sodium option, reduce or omit the seasoned salt and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve with tzatziki or your favorite yogurt-based sauce to add creaminess and tang.
Keywords: chicken tzatziki, dump and bake chicken, baked rice and chicken, Greek chicken casserole, easy chicken dinner, one dish meal
