Description
This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole is a flavorful, easy one-dish meal featuring tender chicken, aromatic spices, and creamy tzatziki sauce baked together with long-grain rice. Perfect for a hassle-free weeknight dinner, it combines Mediterranean-inspired flavors with convenience, delivering a comforting and satisfying dish in just over an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup tzatziki sauce, store-bought or homemade
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Garnish
- Cucumber slices
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Fresh herbs (such as dill or parsley)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Mix rice and broth: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, combine 1 cup of long-grain white rice with 1 ½ cups of low-sodium chicken broth and mix gently to distribute evenly.
- Add and season chicken: Place the bite-sized chicken breast pieces on top of the rice and broth mixture. Sprinkle evenly with 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, and ½ teaspoon paprika. Toss lightly to coat the chicken pieces with the spices.
- Spread tzatziki sauce: Pour 1 cup of tzatziki sauce over the chicken and rice mixture, spreading it evenly across the surface to incorporate the creamy flavors.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 45 minutes to allow the rice to cook and the chicken to become tender.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and bake the casserole for an additional 15 minutes. This step helps achieve a golden-brown top layer and slightly caramelized edges.
- Garnish and serve: Once baked, garnish the casserole with fresh cucumber slices, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped fresh herbs like dill or parsley before serving.
Notes
- To make homemade tzatziki, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, and dill for a fresh and tangy sauce.
- Using low-sodium chicken broth helps control salt levels, but you can adjust seasoning to taste.
- Ensure the baking dish is tightly covered with foil while baking to properly steam cook the rice.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and gently reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a gluten-free option, confirm that your tzatziki sauce and chicken broth contain no gluten additives.
