Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice – A Mediterranean One-Dish Marvel
Say goodbye to dinnertime stress and hello to this Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice — the ultimate easy, flavorful, one-dish meal. Bursting with the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean — think lemon, garlic, herbs, Greek yogurt, and feta — this oven-baked dish requires no pre-cooking and barely any cleanup. 🙌Everything — including raw rice and chicken — goes right into the baking dish. As it bakes, the rice absorbs the broth and juices, the chicken becomes tender and infused with herbs, and a dollop of creamy, homemade tzatziki sauce adds a cool, tangy finish.It’s the perfect weeknight meal that’s as delicious as it is wholesome. Pair it with a simple salad or warm pita, and you’ve got dinner on the table in under an hour — with only one pan to wash.If you’re loving Mediterranean flavors, be sure to check out Greek Chicken Souvlaki Bowls or Lemon Rice Pilaf.
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking dish or casserole pan
- Mixing bowl – for making the tzatziki
- Whisk – for combining sauce ingredients
- Cutting board & knife – for prepping produce and herbs
- Grater or food processor – for shredding cucumber
- Measuring cups & spoons – for accuracy
- Aluminum foil – for covering the dish while baking
Ingredients
For the Bake:
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs cubed or whole
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1½ cups chicken broth or water
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 lemon juiced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt and black pepper to taste
For the Tzatziki:
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup grated cucumber moisture squeezed out
- 1 tsp dried dill
- 1 garlic clove grated or minced
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt to taste
For Garnish:
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2: Assemble the Bake
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- To the dish, add:
- Uncooked rice
- Chicken broth or water
- Olive oil
- Minced garlic
- Lemon juice
- Oregano
- Cumin
- Salt and pepper
- Stir to combine.
- Place chicken (cubed or whole) on top. You can stir it in or leave it on top — either works!
Step 3: Bake
- Cover the dish tightly with foil.
- Bake for 45–50 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked (internal temp 165°F).
- ✅ Tip: Check at 40 minutes. If the rice still seems undercooked, add a splash more broth and bake uncovered for an additional 5–10 minutes.
Step 4: Make the Tzatziki
- While the dish bakes, make the tzatziki:
- In a bowl, combine:
- Greek yogurt
- Grated cucumber (moisture squeezed out with a towel)
- Lemon juice
- Garlic
- Dill
- Salt, to taste
- Mix well and refrigerate until ready to use.
Step 5: Garnish & Serve
- Once the bake is out of the oven, fluff the rice with a fork.
- Spoon over the tzatziki sauce.
- Sprinkle with feta and chopped parsley.
- Serve warm with pita wedges or a fresh cucumber-tomato salad.
Notes
🔁 Variations
1. Tzatziki Chicken Bowls
Skip the rice and serve the baked chicken with couscous or quinoa instead. 2. Add Veggies
Mix in cherry tomatoes, chopped bell peppers, or baby spinach before baking for a veggie boost. 3. Spicy Mediterranean
Add crushed red pepper flakes or a dollop of harissa to the rice mixture for a kick. 4. Dairy-Free Version
Use a dairy-free yogurt like coconut or almond milk yogurt and skip the feta. 5. Creamy Feta Rice Bake
Stir in ½ cup feta crumbles directly into the rice before baking for added richness. 🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator:
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Store tzatziki separately for freshness. Reheat:
Microwave individual portions until hot, or reheat in a covered dish in the oven at 350°F. Freezer:
Freeze the chicken and rice portion (not tzatziki) in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat as needed. ❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use brown rice instead of white?
Yes, but increase liquid to 2 cups and bake for 60–65 minutes. 2. Do I need to cook the chicken first?
Nope! This is a true dump-and-bake recipe — just dice or leave the chicken whole and it’ll cook perfectly. 3. Is this gluten-free?
Yes, all the ingredients are naturally gluten-free — just double-check your broth. 4. Can I use chicken thighs?
Absolutely! Thighs stay super juicy and work perfectly in this dish. 5. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes — assemble everything (except the tzatziki), cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours ahead. Bake as directed. 6. Can I add cheese to the bake?
Yes — feta or mozzarella stirred into the rice before baking is delicious. 7. How can I make this vegetarian?
Use chickpeas or tofu instead of chicken, and swap in vegetable broth. 8. What should I serve with this?
Try it with pita bread, Greek salad, or grilled vegetables. 9. Can I use pre-cooked rice?
This recipe is designed for uncooked rice. If using cooked rice, reduce liquid and bake time accordingly. 10. What’s the best yogurt for tzatziki?
Use full-fat Greek yogurt for the creamiest, most authentic result. ✅ Conclusion
This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice is a total weeknight win: one dish, zero hassle, tons of flavor. With fresh herbs, tangy lemon, tender chicken, and fluffy rice, it brings all the vibrant joy of a Mediterranean meal without the work. Top it with creamy, cool tzatziki and a sprinkle of feta, and you’ve got a meal that’s fresh, balanced, and deeply satisfying. Perfect for busy nights, make-ahead lunches, or just when you’re craving something bright and wholesome. Looking for more no-fuss dinners? Greek Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Bake Mediterranean Chickpea Bowls
1. Tzatziki Chicken Bowls
Skip the rice and serve the baked chicken with couscous or quinoa instead. 2. Add Veggies
Mix in cherry tomatoes, chopped bell peppers, or baby spinach before baking for a veggie boost. 3. Spicy Mediterranean
Add crushed red pepper flakes or a dollop of harissa to the rice mixture for a kick. 4. Dairy-Free Version
Use a dairy-free yogurt like coconut or almond milk yogurt and skip the feta. 5. Creamy Feta Rice Bake
Stir in ½ cup feta crumbles directly into the rice before baking for added richness. 🧊 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator:
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Store tzatziki separately for freshness. Reheat:
Microwave individual portions until hot, or reheat in a covered dish in the oven at 350°F. Freezer:
Freeze the chicken and rice portion (not tzatziki) in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat as needed. ❓ 10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use brown rice instead of white?
Yes, but increase liquid to 2 cups and bake for 60–65 minutes. 2. Do I need to cook the chicken first?
Nope! This is a true dump-and-bake recipe — just dice or leave the chicken whole and it’ll cook perfectly. 3. Is this gluten-free?
Yes, all the ingredients are naturally gluten-free — just double-check your broth. 4. Can I use chicken thighs?
Absolutely! Thighs stay super juicy and work perfectly in this dish. 5. Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes — assemble everything (except the tzatziki), cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours ahead. Bake as directed. 6. Can I add cheese to the bake?
Yes — feta or mozzarella stirred into the rice before baking is delicious. 7. How can I make this vegetarian?
Use chickpeas or tofu instead of chicken, and swap in vegetable broth. 8. What should I serve with this?
Try it with pita bread, Greek salad, or grilled vegetables. 9. Can I use pre-cooked rice?
This recipe is designed for uncooked rice. If using cooked rice, reduce liquid and bake time accordingly. 10. What’s the best yogurt for tzatziki?
Use full-fat Greek yogurt for the creamiest, most authentic result. ✅ Conclusion
This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice is a total weeknight win: one dish, zero hassle, tons of flavor. With fresh herbs, tangy lemon, tender chicken, and fluffy rice, it brings all the vibrant joy of a Mediterranean meal without the work. Top it with creamy, cool tzatziki and a sprinkle of feta, and you’ve got a meal that’s fresh, balanced, and deeply satisfying. Perfect for busy nights, make-ahead lunches, or just when you’re craving something bright and wholesome. Looking for more no-fuss dinners? Greek Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Bake Mediterranean Chickpea Bowls