Description
This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice is the ultimate weeknight dinner—fresh, flavorful, and ridiculously easy! Creamy Greek yogurt, lemon, dill, and garlic come together with juicy chicken and fluffy rice, all baked in one dish with minimal prep. It’s a Mediterranean-inspired comfort meal your family will love. Just dump it, bake it, and dig in!
Ingredients
For the Casserole
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1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
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1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
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1½ cups chicken broth or water
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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1 teaspoon dried dill (or 2 teaspoons fresh dill, chopped)
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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½ teaspoon ground cumin
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Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Tzatziki Mixture
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1 cup plain Greek yogurt
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⅓ cup grated cucumber (squeeze out excess water)
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Juice of 1 lemon
Optional Toppings & Garnish
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½ cup crumbled feta cheese
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¼ cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
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Mix the base: In the baking dish, combine uncooked rice, chicken broth, olive oil, garlic, dill, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
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Add chicken: Arrange chicken pieces evenly over the rice mixture.
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Make the tzatziki mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, and lemon juice.
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Top the casserole: Spread the yogurt mixture evenly over the chicken and rice.
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Cover and bake: Cover tightly with foil and bake for 35–40 minutes, until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temperature).
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Add toppings: Remove foil, sprinkle feta on top (if using), and bake uncovered for 5 more minutes.
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Garnish and serve: Let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro.
Notes
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Rice alternatives: Use jasmine or basmati rice for extra flavor, or substitute brown rice (adjust liquid and baking time).
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Dairy-free? Use plant-based yogurt and skip the feta.
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Time saver: Use store-bought tzatziki thinned with lemon juice.
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Make ahead: Assemble up to Step 5 and refrigerate up to 12 hours. Bake when ready.
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Add-ins: Try cherry tomatoes, baby spinach, or olives for a flavor boost!
Equipment: 9×13-inch baking dish, mixing bowls, whisk, aluminum foil
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of casserole
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: dump-and-bake chicken, tzatziki chicken casserole, Greek baked chicken and rice, one-pan chicken and rice, weeknight Mediterranean dinner