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4.7 from 72 votes

Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki and Rice

This dump-and-bake version of chicken tzatzikii and rice is fresh, flavorful, and incredibly easy!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Additional Time
30 mins
Total Time
1 hr 20 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 384 kcal
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast or boneless skinless chicken thighs, diced into bite-size pieces
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or ½ teaspoon dried parsley flakes)
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano (or ½ teaspoon dried oregano)
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme (or ¼ teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ¾ teaspoon seasoned salt (such as Lawry’s brand)
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon Turmeric
  • ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
  • 1 medium zucchini, coarsely grated (about 1 ½ cups grated)
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • For serving: tzatziki sauce, pita bread, chopped fresh herbs such as fresh dill, basil, parsley, or chives, and fresh lemon

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In the prepared dish, toss chicken with lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, oregano, thyme, smoked paprika, seasoned salt, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, turmeric, and cayenne. Let the chicken sit and marinate in the herbs and spices at room temperature for 30 minutes while you preheat the oven. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°F).
  3. Add the uncooked rice, zucchini, and chicken broth to the pan with the chicken. Stir to combine.
  4. Cover tightly and bake for 40 minutes, or until most of the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. If the rice is still crunchy after 40 minutes, cover the dish and return the pan to the oven for 5-10 minutes, or until it’s done. The total cooking time will vary based on a number of factors, including the type of pan that you use and your individual oven. Glass or ceramic baking dishes will take longer than metal pans, for instance. To know when your casserole is done, taste a bite of the rice. The rice should be tender and most of the liquid should be absorbed. Use a fork to stir and fluff the rice. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper, if desired. Serve the chicken and rice topped with tzatziki, fresh herbs, and lemon.

Notes

  • This recipe is specifically designed and tested with uncooked long grain white rice. Do not substitute with brown rice, wild rice, or instant rice — all of which require different amounts of liquid and different cooking times.
  • This recipe is specifically designed and tested with uncooked long grain white rice. Do not substitute with brown rice, wild rice, or instant rice — all of which require different amounts of liquid and different cooking times.
  • Use smoked paprika rather than regular sweet paprika, since the smoky flavor of the seasoning mimics the smoky, charred flavor of grilled chicken shawarma or chicken souvlaki.
  • Use smoked paprika rather than regular sweet paprika, since the smoky flavor of the seasoning mimics the smoky, charred flavor of grilled chicken shawarma or chicken souvlaki.
  • Make sure to cover your dish tightly with foil so that none of the liquid or steam escapes during cooking. The rice needs to absorb the liquid as it bakes.
  • Make sure to cover your dish tightly with foil so that none of the liquid or steam escapes during cooking. The rice needs to absorb the liquid as it bakes.
  •  
  • Be careful not to overcook the casserole, or the rice will become mushy and gummy.
  • Be careful not to overcook the casserole, or the rice will become mushy and gummy.
  • Fluff the rice with a fork — do not stir with a big spoon, which can compact the grains and yield a dense texture.
  • Fluff the rice with a fork — do not stir with a big spoon, which can compact the grains and yield a dense texture.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1/4 of the dish Calories 384kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 41g (14%) Protein 29g (58%) Fat 11g (17%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 0.01g Cholesterol 75mg (25%) Sodium 1012mg (42%) Potassium 670mg (19%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 2g (4%) Vitamin A 504IU (10%) Vitamin C 15mg (17%) Calcium 47mg (5%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 384

% Daily Value*

Serving 1/4 of the dish
Calories 384kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 41g 14%
Protein 29g 58%
Fat 11g 17%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Trans Fat 0.01g 1%
Cholesterol 75mg 25%
Sodium 1012mg 42%
Potassium 670mg 14%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 2g 4%
Vitamin A 504IU 10%
Vitamin C 15mg 17%
Calcium 47mg 5%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.