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Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki and Rice

A simple, flavorful dish combining tender chicken, aromatic herbs, and zesty spices, perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cleanup.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 520
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken and Marinade
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs, diced
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Main Ingredients
  • 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
  • 1 medium zucchini, coarsely grated (about 1.5 cups)
  • 2 cups chicken broth
For Serving
  • Tzatziki sauce for serving
  • Pita bread for serving
  • Chopped fresh herbs (dill, basil, parsley, or chives) for serving
  • Fresh lemon for serving

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish or spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
  2. In the prepared dish, toss the diced chicken with lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, oregano, thyme, smoked paprika, seasoned salt, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, turmeric, and cayenne.
  3. Let the chicken marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes while preheating the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
Cooking
  1. Add the uncooked rice, grated zucchini, and chicken broth to the dish with the marinated chicken.
  2. Stir to combine and cover tightly with foil.
  3. Bake for 45-50 minutes if using metal pans or about 50-60 minutes for glass or ceramic pans, until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.
Serving
  1. Fluff the rice with a fork, check the seasoning, and adjust with additional salt and pepper if desired.
  2. Serve topped with tzatziki, fresh herbs, and lemon wedges.

Notes

Make sure to dice the chicken into even pieces for uniform cooking. If you like more veggies, feel free to add bell peppers or spinach. Adjust the spices according to your taste; if you want it spicier, increase the cayenne pepper.