Dump Bake Chicken Tzatziki Rice (Recipe for Printing)

Juicy chicken and herbed rice bake together, finished with refreshing tzatziki for a flavorful one-pan meal.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken Marinade

01 - 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, patted dry
02 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
10 - 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

→ Rice Base

11 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained
12 - 1 small zucchini, grated (optional)
13 - 1 1/2 cups chicken broth, warmed
14 - 1/4 teaspoon salt, for broth

→ To Serve

15 - 1/2 cup tzatziki sauce
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs such as dill or parsley

# How to Make It:

01 - Pat chicken dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, whisk together lemon juice and olive oil. Add oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Whisk until well combined. Place chicken in shallow dish, pour marinade over, and turn to coat evenly. Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.
02 - Rinse rice in a fine mesh strainer under cold running water until water runs almost clear. Drain thoroughly. Spread rice evenly in a 9x13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle grated zucchini evenly over the rice if using. Pour warmed chicken broth gently around the edges and over rice. Season broth layer with a pinch of salt. Ensure rice is fully submerged and create shallow wells for chicken placement.
03 - Arrange marinated chicken pieces over the rice, spacing them evenly. Pour any remaining marinade over the top. Cover dish tightly with a double layer of aluminum foil, sealing edges to trap steam. Place the dish on a rimmed baking sheet to prevent spills.
04 - Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Bake chicken and rice for 35 minutes. Check for doneness: chicken should reach 165°F at the thickest part and rice should be almost tender. Remove from oven and let rest, covered, for 10 minutes.
05 - Uncover and fluff rice lightly with a fork. Spoon dollops of tzatziki sauce over the chicken and rice, then sprinkle with fresh chopped herbs. Serve with additional tzatziki on the side if desired.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Creating distinct wells in the rice before placing chicken ensures even cooking and allows flavorful juices to permeate each grain.
02 - Smoked paprika provides a subtle, authentic charred flavor reminiscent of traditional Mediterranean grilling.
03 - For optimal results, marinate the chicken up to 8 hours in advance in the refrigerator, but add rice and broth only right before baking.

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