Easy Chicken Tzatziki Rice Bake (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
480 ml chicken broth
02 -
1 medium zucchini, roughly shredded (about 180 g)
03 -
200 g raw long grain white rice
04 -
450 g chicken breast or thigh chunks, no skin or bones
→ Marinade Base
05 -
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
06 -
2 tablespoons lemon juice, squeezed fresh
→ Fresh Herbs
07 -
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or just 1/4 teaspoon dried
08 -
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or a 1/2 teaspoon of dried
09 -
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried
→ Seasonings
10 -
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
11 -
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
12 -
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
13 -
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 -
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
15 -
3/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
16 -
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
17 -
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ For Serving
18 -
Pita bread
19 -
Fresh lemon slices
20 -
A mix of fresh herbs: try chives, parsley, dill, or basil
21 -
Tzatziki
# Instructions:
01 -
Spray or rub a 33 x 23 cm pan so stuff doesn't stick.
02 -
Dump the chicken pieces into your prepped dish, then pour in olive oil, lemon juice, thyme, parsley, oregano, paprika, all the spices and seasonings. Give everything a good toss. Let it soak up the flavors for half an hour at room temperature. While it sits, turn your oven on to 190°C.
03 -
Mix in the rice, that pile of grated zucchini, plus your chicken broth right into the same dish. Stir so it's all spread out evenly.
04 -
Cover the pan tight with foil. Slide it into the oven and bake for 40 minutes until the rice is tender and the liquid’s gone. Sometimes it needs another 5-10 minutes—just keep an eye on it.
05 -
Take a fork and fluff up the rice. Taste it and see if you want more salt or lemon. Dish it up warm, sprinkle with fresh herbs, spoon on the tzatziki, smash some lemon over it, and make sure there's pita for everyone.
# Notes:
01 -
Stick with long grain white rice for this—it cooks up just right. Brown or instant rice, or wild rice? Those need different measurements and time.
02 -
That smoked paprika brings a classic grilled vibe, kind of like a cookout. Really worth including.
03 -
Sealing the pan with foil helps the steam stay in. That’s how you get soft, fluffy rice.