Name: Easy Chicken Tzatziki Rice Bake
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Ingredients: 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken (breast or thighs), diced; 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice; 1 medium zucchini, coarsely grated (about 1½ cups); 2 cups chicken broth; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or ½ tsp dried); 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano (or ½ tsp dried); 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme (or ¼ tsp dried); 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; ¾ teaspoon seasoned salt; ½ teaspoon cumin; ½ teaspoon onion powder; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper; ¼ teaspoon turmeric; ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper; To serve: Tzatziki sauce, pita bread, lemon wedges, fresh herbs (dill, basil, parsley, or chives)

Description

This delightful Mediterranean-inspired dish is your ticket to a harmonious blend of juicy, tender chicken, herbed rice, and the creamy goodness of tzatziki.

Ingredients

Scale

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken (breast or thighs), diced
1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
1 medium zucchini, coarsely grated (about 1½ cups)
2 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (or ½ tsp dried)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano (or ½ tsp dried)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme (or ¼ tsp dried)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
¾ teaspoon seasoned salt
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon turmeric
⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
To serve: Tzatziki sauce, pita bread, lemon wedges, fresh herbs (dill, basil, parsley, or chives)

Instructions

Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While your oven warms up, take your 9×13-inch baking dish and combine the diced chicken with lemon juice, olive oil, and your fresh or dried herbs. Sprinkle in the spices: smokey paprika, seasoned salt, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, turmeric, and a dash of cayenne pepper for a subtle kick. Allow this mixture to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes, letting the flavors meld and marinate the chicken thoroughly.
Once the chicken has absorbed the aromatic marinade, it’s time to complete your dish. Add the uncooked rice and coarsely grated zucchini directly into the baking dish. Follow with pouring in the savory chicken broth. Using a spoon or spatula, gently stir everything to ensure the chicken, rice, and zucchini are evenly distributed, allowing the flavors to infuse uniformly during the baking process.
Cover your dish snugly with aluminum foil to lock in moisture and flavors. Place it in the preheated oven, and bake for approximately 40 minutes. Check to see if the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed. If the rice is not yet tender, you may need to bake for an additional 5-10 minutes. Once done, remove the foil, and use a fork to fluff the rice and mix any remaining ingredients well.

Notes

For the best flavors, use fresh herbs when possible. They add a freshness that dried herbs might not provide.

Prep Time: 40 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Dinner

Nutrition

Calories: 400 kcal
Sodium: 600 mg
Protein: 29 g