Greek Chicken Bowls (Printable Version)
Marinated grilled chicken paired with herbed rice, fresh vegetables, and tangy tzatziki sauce for a fresh Mediterranean meal.
# What You Need:
→ Chicken & Marinade
01 - 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
02 - 3 tbsp olive oil
03 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 tsp dried oregano
06 - 1 tsp dried thyme
07 - 1 tsp salt
08 - ½ tsp black pepper
→ Herbed Rice
09 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
10 - 2 cups water or chicken broth
11 - 1 tbsp olive oil
12 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
13 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill
14 - Salt, to taste
→ Toppings
15 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
16 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
17 - ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
18 - ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
19 - ½ cup feta cheese, crumbled
→ Tzatziki Sauce
20 - 1 cup Greek yogurt
21 - ½ cup cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
22 - 1 clove garlic, minced
23 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
24 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill
25 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ Optional
26 - Pita bread, sliced (use gluten-free if needed)
# How to Make It:
01 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Add chicken and marinate for at least 20 minutes, up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for best flavor development.
02 - Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add rice and toast for 1 minute. Pour in water or broth and add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until rice is fully cooked. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and stir in fresh parsley and dill.
03 - Combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, chopped dill, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Stir thoroughly until well blended. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
04 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook marinated chicken for 6 to 7 minutes per side (thighs may require slightly longer) until golden brown and cooked through. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.
05 - Divide herbed rice evenly among 4 bowls. Top each bowl with sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, red onion, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle with tzatziki sauce and serve with pita bread if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything comes together in under an hour but tastes like you spent all day cooking
- The marinated chicken stays incredibly juicy even after grilling
- You can customize every bowl to match what everyone actually likes eating
02 -
- Squeezing the moisture out of the grated cucumber prevents your tzatziki from becoming watery
- Letting the chicken rest before slicing keeps all the juices inside where they belong
- The tzatziki tastes better if made ahead, so don't be afraid to prep it in the morning
03 -
- Sprinkle sumac or smoked paprika into the marinade for an extra layer of flavor
- Use a grill basket if you want to cook the vegetables alongside the chicken