Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice Recipe

The tangy, creamy goodness of a Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice Recipe is about to become your new weeknight favorite. This Mediterranean-inspired dish combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, and the refreshing flavors of classic tzatziki in one convenient casserole. The best part? Simply dump everything into a baking dish and let your oven do the work! No pre-cooking or complicated steps required. You’ll learn how this effortless meal delivers restaurant-quality flavors with minimal prep time, making it perfect for busy weeknights or stress-free entertaining.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice Recipe is a game-changer for so many reasons. First, the convenience factor is unbeatable—just combine ingredients and bake! The contrast between the tender, juicy chicken and the creamy tzatziki sauce creates a delightful textural experience in every bite. The rice absorbs all the Mediterranean flavors while cooking, resulting in a perfectly seasoned base that complements the tangy yogurt sauce.

The dish strikes that perfect balance between comfort food and healthy eating, providing lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and fresh vegetables in one complete meal. Unlike traditional tzatziki dishes that require multiple cooking steps and separate components, this one-pan wonder simplifies the process without sacrificing any of the authentic flavors you crave.

Best of all, it’s incredibly versatile. The chicken tzatziki bake works equally well for casual family dinners or as an impressive offering for guests who will never guess how little effort it took to prepare.

Ingredients

For this Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice Recipe, you’ll need:

• 1½ pounds (680g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1½ cups (285g) uncooked long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained
• 2½ cups (590ml) chicken broth
• 1 cup (240g) plain Greek yogurt (full-fat works best)
• 1 medium cucumber, finely diced (about 1 cup)
• 3 tablespoons (45ml) olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon (15g) dried dill (or 3 tablespoons fresh)
• 1 tablespoon (15ml) fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup (75g) diced red onion
• ¾ cup (170g) crumbled feta cheese, divided

The Greek yogurt is the star ingredient in this tzatziki rice bake, providing the signature tangy flavor and creamy texture that makes tzatziki so beloved. Use authentic Greek yogurt for the thickest, richest results.

Pro Tips

Control moisture levels carefully: Cucumbers contain a lot of water, which can make your tzatziki chicken casserole too watery. After dicing your cucumber, place it in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze gently to remove excess moisture. This ensures your sauce stays creamy rather than soupy.

Don’t skip the rice rinsing step: Rinsing the rice removes excess starch that can make your finished dish gummy. Give it a good rinse in cold water until the water runs clear, then drain well before adding to your baking dish. This simple step makes a dramatic difference in achieving perfectly fluffy rice.

Create flavor layers: While this is a dump-and-bake recipe, you’ll get the most flavor by adding ingredients in the right order. Mix the yogurt mixture separately before combining with other ingredients, allowing the garlic and herbs to infuse the yogurt. Reserve about ¼ cup of the tzatziki mixture to dollop on top during the last 10 minutes of baking for an extra flavor boost and beautiful presentation.

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray.

Step 2: In a medium bowl, create your tzatziki mixture by combining the Greek yogurt, diced cucumber, 2 tablespoons olive oil, minced garlic, dried dill, lemon juice, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Stir well and set aside about ¼ cup for serving.

Step 3: In your prepared baking dish, add the rinsed rice and spread it evenly across the bottom. Pour the chicken broth over the rice.

Step 4: Season your chicken pieces with the remaining salt, pepper, and dried oregano, then arrange them evenly over the rice. The chicken will partially sink into the broth—that’s perfect!

Step 5: Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over the chicken, then spread the tzatziki mixture (except for your reserved portion) over the chicken and rice. Sprinkle the diced red onion and ½ cup of the feta cheese on top.

Step 6: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. This traps the steam and ensures the rice cooks properly in your Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice Recipe.

Step 7: Bake covered for 40 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the rice has absorbed most of the liquid.

Step 8: During the last 10 minutes of baking, dollop the reserved tzatziki mixture on top and sprinkle with the remaining ¼ cup feta cheese.

Step 9: Allow the dish to rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the flavors to meld and the remaining liquid to be absorbed.

Step 10: Garnish with additional fresh dill and lemon wedges if desired, and serve your delicious chicken tzatziki bake while warm.

Variations

Mediterranean Vegetable Version: Transform this Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice Recipe into a vegetable extravaganza by adding 1 cup each of diced bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and zucchini. These vegetables release moisture while cooking, creating an even more flavorful sauce. For a vegetarian option, replace the chicken with 2 cups of chickpeas and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.

Lemon Herb Chicken Tzatziki: Intensify the Mediterranean flavors by doubling the lemon juice and adding 2 teaspoons of lemon zest. Include a tablespoon each of chopped fresh mint and parsley along with the dill. This variation brightens the flavors and makes the tzatziki rice bake even more refreshing, perfect for summer dinners.

Spicy Greek-Style: For those who enjoy a kick, add ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes to the tzatziki mixture and include 2 tablespoons of chopped kalamata olives. The heat from the pepper flakes pairs beautifully with the cooling yogurt, creating an exciting flavor contrast in your dish.

Storage and Serving

Your Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice Recipe can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. The flavors actually develop nicely overnight, making this an excellent make-ahead meal. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to prevent the rice from drying out, and warm gently in the microwave or oven at 325°F until heated through.

For freezing, portion the cooled casserole into individual containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serve this chicken tzatziki bake with a simple Greek salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions dressed with olive oil and red wine vinegar. For a complete feast, add warm pita bread for scooping up the creamy sauce. This dish also pairs wonderfully with a side of roasted lemon-garlic vegetables or a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy flavors of the main dish.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?
Yes, but brown rice requires more liquid and longer cooking time. Increase the broth to 3 cups and expect to add 15-20 minutes to the covered baking time for your Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice Recipe.

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs work wonderfully and often result in juicier meat. The cooking time remains the same.

My dish seems too watery after baking. What went wrong?
This typically happens if the cucumbers weren’t drained properly or if the foil wasn’t sealed tightly during baking. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes to evaporate excess liquid.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble everything up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time if cooking directly from the refrigerator.

Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, this tzatziki chicken casserole is naturally gluten-free, but always check your broth ingredients to ensure they don’t contain any gluten additives.

Conclusion

This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice Recipe is comfort food at its finest — a harmonious blend of creamy, tangy tzatziki with tender chicken and perfectly seasoned rice, all achieved with minimal effort. It’s the kind of dish that transforms an ordinary weeknight into a special meal, bringing Mediterranean sunshine to your table no matter the season. With its incredible convenience and crowd-pleasing flavors, this one-pan wonder deserves a permanent spot in your recipe collection.

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