Description
This Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki with Rice is a simple, flavorful one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts bake atop a bed of seasoned rice, all cooked together in the oven, then finished with creamy, refreshing tzatziki sauce and fresh parsley. Minimal prep and cleanup make it an easy and satisfying dinner option.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Rice Mixture
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 1 cup tzatziki sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Season Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in the prepared baking dish. Drizzle olive oil over them and season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to enhance flavor.
- Mix Rice and Broth: In a separate bowl, combine the long-grain white rice with chicken broth. Add salt and pepper to taste, ensuring the rice mixture is well seasoned.
- Assemble Dish: Pour the rice mixture evenly around the chicken breasts in the baking dish, spreading it gently to cover the base around the meat.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil to trap steam and moisture, then bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Bake until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the rice is tender and cooked through.
- Add Tzatziki and Garnish: Carefully remove the dish from the oven, spoon the tzatziki sauce generously over each chicken breast, then sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of freshness.
- Serve: Serve the chicken and rice warm, enjoying the creamy tzatziki complementing the savory baked chicken and fragrant rice.
Notes
- You can use homemade tzatziki or store-bought for convenience.
- Check the internal temperature of the chicken with a meat thermometer to ensure safety and juiciness.
- Covering the dish with foil helps steam the rice perfectly without drying out the chicken.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in tzatziki sauce for 30 minutes before baking if desired.
