Description
This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole combines tender chicken, fragrant rice, and creamy tzatziki sauce baked to golden perfection. It’s a comforting Mediterranean-inspired one-dish meal that’s easy to prepare and bursting with flavor, perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep.
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
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Garnishes
- Cucumber slices
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Fresh herbs (such as dill or parsley)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Combine Rice and Broth: In a 9×13 inch baking dish, combine the long-grain white rice with the low-sodium chicken broth and gently mix to distribute evenly.
- Add Chicken and Seasonings: Arrange the bite-sized chicken pieces on top of the rice mixture. Sprinkle garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, and paprika evenly over the chicken, then toss lightly to coat the ingredients with the spices.
- Add Tzatziki Sauce: Pour the tzatziki sauce evenly over the chicken and rice mixture, spreading it gently to cover everything.
- Bake Covered: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes to allow the rice to cook and the chicken to become tender.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the casserole is golden brown on top.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, garnish the casserole with fresh cucumber slices, crumbled feta cheese, and fresh herbs like dill or parsley before serving.
Notes
- Use low-sodium chicken broth for better control over salt content.
- If you prefer, use homemade tzatziki sauce for a fresher taste.
- Make sure the chicken pieces are roughly equal in size to ensure even cooking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated thoroughly before serving.
- For a gluten-free option, confirm the tzatziki sauce and spices are gluten-free.
