Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth or water
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup grated cucumber (squeeze out excess water)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried dill (or 2 teaspoons fresh dill, chopped)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or casserole dish.
- In the baking dish, combine the uncooked rice, chicken broth (or water), olive oil, garlic, dill, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir to evenly distribute the seasonings.
- Arrange the chicken pieces evenly over the rice mixture.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, and lemon juice to create the tzatziki base.
- Pour the yogurt mixture evenly over the chicken and rice. Spread it gently with the back of a spoon.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F/74°C).
- Remove the foil and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top, if desired. Bake for an additional 5 minutes, uncovered, to melt the cheese slightly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro.
- Let the dish sit for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve warm, alongside a crisp salad or warm pita bread.
Notes
Make sure to squeeze grated cucumber well so the tzatziki doesn’t water down the casserole. Use chicken thighs for juicier meat or breasts for a leaner finish. Check the casserole at 30 minutes if your oven runs hot.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 40
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten-Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 75mg