Description
These Chicken Tzatziki Rice Bowls combine juicy grilled chicken breasts marinated in lemon and oregano with a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce. Served over fluffy cooked rice and topped with fresh cucumber, red onion, and cherry tomatoes, this Mediterranean-inspired meal is vibrant, flavorful, and perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cucumber, finely grated
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Bowls
- 2 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or jasmine rice)
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Fresh parsley or dill, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to create the marinade mixture.
- Coat the Chicken: Add the chicken breasts to the marinade and coat them evenly. Let sit for at least 10-15 minutes, or up to 2 hours, to allow the flavors to penetrate the meat.
- Make the Tzatziki Sauce: In a separate small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, fresh dill, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to blend all ingredients.
- Chill the Sauce: Set the tzatziki sauce aside in the refrigerator to let the flavors meld while preparing the rest of the dish.
- Preheat the Grill: Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the chicken.
- Grill the Chicken: Cook the marinated chicken breasts for 5-7 minutes per side until fully cooked and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring juicy and flavorful meat.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the grill and allow it to rest for a few minutes before slicing to retain juices.
- Prepare Rice Bowls: Evenly divide the cooked rice into four serving bowls as the base of each bowl.
- Add Toppings: Top each rice bowl with sliced grilled chicken, cucumber slices, thin red onion slices, and halved cherry tomatoes for freshness and crunch.
- Drizzle with Tzatziki: Generously spoon the chilled tzatziki sauce over each assembled bowl for a creamy, tangy finish.
- Garnish: Optionally add fresh parsley or dill on top to brighten the presentation and flavor.
- Serve Immediately: Enjoy these vibrant, healthy Chicken Tzatziki Rice Bowls while fresh for the best taste experience.
Notes
- For best results, marinate chicken longer (up to 2 hours) to enhance flavor.
- If you don’t have a grill, a grill pan or skillet can be used to cook the chicken.
- You can substitute fresh herbs like mint or cilantro in the tzatziki for a twist.
- Use Greek yogurt for a thicker, creamier sauce; regular yogurt can be strained if needed.
- Cook rice according to package instructions; jasmine or basmati rice enhances the Mediterranean feel.
- Leftover components can be stored separately in the fridge and assembled just before eating.
