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A close-up shot of the Greek chicken and rice bake in a white dish, showcasing the fluffy rice and tender pieces of chicken.

Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice: The Easiest Greek-Inspired Dinner

This Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice is the ultimate one-pan weeknight dinner! Tender chicken and fluffy rice are baked together with lemon, garlic, and herbs, then topped with a fresh, creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. Effortless and delicious!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Calories: 550
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • 1.5 cups long-grain white rice uncooked
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 3 tbsp olive oil divided
  • 1 lemon zested and juiced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1.5 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried dill
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 0.5 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 0.5 cucumber grated and squeezed dry
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill chopped
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 clove garlic minced

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 inch Baking Dish
  • 1 Aluminum foil

Instructions
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  2. In the baking dish, combine the uncooked rice, chicken broth, 2 tbsp olive oil, lemon juice and zest, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried dill, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
  3. Nestle the chicken breasts into the rice mixture. Drizzle with the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil and season with an extra pinch of salt, pepper, and oregano.
  4. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the chicken is cooked through.
  5. Remove from the oven and let the dish rest, still covered, for 10 minutes. This step is crucial for fluffy rice.
  6. While the chicken bakes, prepare the tzatziki. In a small bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated and squeezed cucumber, fresh dill, lemon juice, and minced garlic. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to use.
  7. After resting, fluff the rice with a fork. Serve the chicken and rice immediately, topped with a generous dollop of the homemade tzatziki sauce.

Notes

Ensure the baking dish is covered very tightly with foil to trap steam for cooking the rice.
Do not substitute brown rice without adjusting the liquid amount and cooking time, as it will not cook properly with these instructions.
Letting the dish rest for 10 minutes after baking is essential for the perfect rice texture.
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