Description
Dump and bake chicken tzatziki casserole brings Mediterranean comfort right to your dinner table with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Creamy yogurt sauce, tender chicken, and zesty herbs combine for a simple weeknight meal that comes together faster than ordering takeout.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 1.5 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.5 teaspoon paprika
Topping and Garnish Ingredients:
- 1 cup tzatziki sauce
- 0.5 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 0.5 cup chopped fresh parsley or dill
- 1 medium cucumber
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray for easy cleanup.
- Distribute 1 cup of long-grain white rice across the bottom of the dish, ensuring an even layer.
- Pour 1 ½ cups of low-sodium chicken broth over the rice, completely submerging the grains.
- Arrange 1 ½ pounds of bite-sized chicken breast pieces directly on top of the rice.
- Sprinkle the chicken with 1 tsp each of garlic powder, onion powder, and dried oregano, plus ½ tsp paprika.
- Gently spread 1 cup of tzatziki sauce across the chicken, creating a smooth, even coating.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to lock in moisture during baking.
- Slide the covered dish into the preheated 375°F oven and bake for 35-40 minutes.
- Check that the chicken is fully cooked and the rice has absorbed all the liquid.
- If excess liquid remains, remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven.
- Sprinkle ½ cup of crumbled feta cheese over the top.
- Garnish with ½ cup chopped fresh parsley or dill and optional cucumber slices.
Notes
- Rice Selection: Choose long-grain white rice for the best texture and absorption of liquid in this dump-and-bake style casserole.
- Tzatziki Tip: Use store-bought tzatziki for convenience, or make your own Greek-style yogurt sauce for a fresher flavor profile.
- Chicken Variation: Swap chicken breasts with thighs for a more tender result, or use rotisserie chicken to speed up preparation time.
- Diet Adaptation: For a gluten-free version, ensure your broth and tzatziki are certified gluten-free, and this recipe becomes perfect for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-50 minutes
- Category: Casseroles
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 331 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 7 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg