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A plate of savory chicken tzatziki rice garnished with fresh herbs

Proven way to grow Chicken Tzatziki Rice

This recipe features tender chicken served over fluffy rice, complemented by a refreshing homemade tzatziki. It’s a complete meal that’s both delicious and nutritious.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Breakfast
Servings 4 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • large bowl
  • medium bowl
  • medium saucepan
  • large skillet or grill pan

Ingredients
  

Chicken Marinade

  • 2 large chicken breasts
  • 0.5 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper

Tzatziki Sauce

  • 0.5 cup cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp dill, fresh, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 0.25 tsp salt

Rice

  • 1 cup Basmati rice
  • 2 cups water or chicken broth
  • 0.5 tsp salt

For Serving

  • fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions
 

Marinating the Chicken

  • Cut chicken breasts into 1-inch cubes and place them in a bowl.
  • Add yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper to the chicken.
  • Mix well to coat the chicken, then cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.

Making the Tzatziki Sauce

  • In a medium bowl, combine grated cucumber, Greek yogurt, chopped dill, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt.
  • Stir everything together until well combined, then cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Cooking the Rice

  • Rinse the Basmati rice under cold water until the water runs clear.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, water or chicken broth, and salt.
  • Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-18 minutes until all water is absorbed.

Cooking the Chicken

  • Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add the marinated chicken and cook for 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through.
  • Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).

Assembly and Serving

  • Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and portion it onto serving plates.
  • Place the cooked chicken over the rice, then spoon a generous amount of tzatziki sauce over the chicken and rice.
  • Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

For best flavor, marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours. You can also bake the chicken at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes if you prefer not to grill or pan-fry.