Chicken Tzatziki Bowls

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Welcome to a taste of the Mediterranean! Prepare for a healthy, fresh meal bursting with simple flavors. My Chicken Tzatziki Bowls are all about vibrant ingredients and a delightful combination of fragrant spices, juicy vegetables, protein-packed chickpeas, and fluffy Rice. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy dinner or a meal prep option, these chicken rice bowls have you covered. The zesty lemon chicken adds a burst of citrusy goodness to elevate your dining experience.

Ingredients in Your Chicken Tzatziki Bowls

For the Rice:

  • Short-grain Rice is soft and slightly sticky, providing a comforting base for the dish.
  • Fresh chopped parsley adds a vibrant, herbaceous flavor, bringing freshness to the bowl.
  • Lemon zest contributes zesty, citrusy notes, enhancing the overall brightness of the dish.

The Chicken:

  • Chicken breasts are a lean protein source with a mild, savory taste.
  • Plain yogurt tenderizes the chicken and adds a creamy tanginess.
  • Paprika offers a gentle smokiness and a mild heat.
  • Oregano provides earthy, aromatic undertones.
  • Garlic, when minced, delivers pungent and slightly sweet flavors.
  • Lemon juice and zest add a zingy, citrusy freshness.
  • Olive oil lends richness and a fruity, peppery quality.

Vegetables:

  • Sweet potatoes offer natural sweetness with earthy undertones when roasted.
  • Garbanzo beans provide nutty and slightly creamy notes.

Tzatziki Sauce:

  • Greek yogurt offers a creamy, tangy base.
  • English cucumber contributes a refreshing, watery crunch.
  • Garlic clove, when minced, adds a strong, pungent kick.
  • Chopped fresh mint provides a cooling, herbaceous flavor.
  • Olive oil offers richness and a fruity, peppery quality.

Additional Ingredients:

  • Tomatoes add juicy, slightly sweet, and tart elements.
  • Sliced cucumber provides a crisp, refreshing crunch.
  • Red onion brings a mild sharpness and slight sweetness.
  • Radishes offer a peppery, crunchy bite.
  • Kalamata olives introduce briny, salty flavors.
  • Sliced pepperoncini provides a tangy, spicy kick.
  • Fresh herbs like parsley, mint, and cilantro bring herbaceous, bright, and aromatic notes.

How to Structure the Chicken Tzatziki Bowls 

Making a perfect chicken rice bowl has never been easier! In just six simple steps, you can create a delicious bowl that’s both healthy and satisfying. I simplified the directions so that it will be one of the easiest chicken rice bowl recipes.

  • Choose Your Base Rice – Start by picking what base rice you want as the foundation of your bowl. Popular choices include brown or white Rice, quinoa, couscous, wild Rice, farro, and bulgur. 
  • Add Your Protein Next – add some protein to your bowl! Common proteins in grain bowls include lamb, chicken, tofu, fish, shrimp, and eggs.
  • Add Your Greens – Now it’s time to add some leafy greens to your bowl for an extra nutritional boost. Many people like to use spinach or kale for their grain bowls – but you can also get creative and try something different if you’d like!
  • Add Your Vegetables – You’ll want to make sure you’re adding plenty of fresh veggies to your bowl for added flavor and crunch – think carrots, bell peppers, onions, roasted cauliflower, sweet potatoes, and sauteed mushrooms. Get creative and have fun here.
  • Add Your Topping – To give your bowl that special touch of flavor and texture, top it off with something crunchy, like toasted nuts or seeds (such as pumpkin or sunflower). You could also opt for avocado slices or pita chips if you’re adventurous!
  • Add Your Dressing – Finish your chicken over the rice bowl with a delicious dressing of your choice. There are many options: creamy tzatziki sauce, lemon tahini dressing, or Greek goddess dressing. It is all about having fun!  
How to Make Chicken Tzatziki Bowls

Preparation

1.
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the yogurt with paprika, oregano lemon juice and its zest, olive oil, and a dash of salt and pepper; add the chicken and marinade for 20 minutes! Cook on the stove in a hot skillet for 7 minutes on each side until tender. Wait ten minutes, then slice into strips.
Mark as complete
2.
Preheat the oven to 400 F.
Cut the sweet potato into small bites and lay it on a baking sheet.
Add the garbanzo beans, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with some paprika
Roast until tender for about 20 minutes
Mark as complete
3.
Shred the English cucumber, sprinkle with salt, and leave for 10 minutes. Remove any liquid released and mix in a bowl with yogurt, minced garlic, fresh mint, and olive oil. Place the mixture in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Mark as complete
4.
Mix the cooked rice with one cup f fresh chopped parsley and lemon zest.

When ready to assemble, Start with a plate of cooked Rice, then top with cooked chicken, cooked sweet potatoes/ garbanzo beans/ on top along with tomatoes, cucumber/ slices of onion/radishes/olives/ sliced pepperoncini, and a large spoonful of tzatziki sauce sprinkle some of their fresh herbs.
There you have it…a lemon chicken rice recipe prepared in the perfect Mediterranean rice bowl. Enjoy!
Mark as complete

Ingredients:

1X 2X 3X
Adjust Servings
4 cups cooked rice ( your choice of short, long white or brown )
1 cup fresh parsley chopped
1 whole lemon zest
For The chicken
2 chicken breasts
2 tablespoons Greek plain Yogurt
2 garlic cloves minced
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 lemon juice and zest
1 tablespoon olive oil
Dash salt and black pepepr
For the Vegetables
2 medium sweet potatoes washed, peeled, and cut into small bites
2 cups cooked garbanzo beans ( or 1 can of garbanzo beans 16 oz )
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Dash salt and black pepper
For tzatziki sauce
2 cups plain Greek yogurt
1/4 English cucumber peeled and shredded
1 garlic clove minced
1 tablespoon fresh mint chopped
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
dash of salt and black pepper

Preparation

1
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together the yogurt with paprika, oregano lemon juice and its zest, olive oil, and a dash of salt and pepper; add the chicken and marinade for 20 minutes! Cook on the stove in a hot skillet for 7 minutes on each side until tender. Wait ten minutes, then slice into strips.
2
Preheat the oven to 400 F. Cut the sweet potato into small bites and lay it on a baking sheet. Add the garbanzo beans, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with some paprika Roast until tender for about 20 minutes
3
Shred the English cucumber, sprinkle with salt, and leave for 10 minutes. Remove any liquid released and mix in a bowl with yogurt, minced garlic, fresh mint, and olive oil. Place the mixture in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
4
Mix the cooked rice with one cup f fresh chopped parsley and lemon zest. When ready to assemble, Start with a plate of cooked Rice, then top with cooked chicken, cooked sweet potatoes/ garbanzo beans/ on top along with tomatoes, cucumber/ slices of onion/radishes/olives/ sliced pepperoncini, and a large spoonful of tzatziki sauce sprinkle some of their fresh herbs. There you have it…a lemon chicken rice recipe prepared in the perfect Mediterranean rice bowl. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips & Suggestions

Key Tips

dressing the Rice with lemon zest and chopped fresh parsley gives an extra layer of flavor. Dress the Rice when it cools down and just before serving!

For faster cooking, cut the chicken breast in the middle horizontally by carefully slicing through the center of the chicken parallel with the cutting board.

To make your Taziki sauce thinner and easier to drizzle over your rice bowl, add some ice water until you get the consistency you like. Use a squeeze bottle with a wide open mouth for easy and even sauce distribution.

Rana’s Notes!

To store the ingredients for the chicken over rice bowl separately, place the prepared rice in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The sliced chicken can also be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for up to 2-3 days. For the tzatziki sauce, store in a separate container and refrigerate for up to 4-5 days. The chopped vegetables can be stored in a sealed container or plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
If you're hosting a cava-style meal and want to make it ahead of time, you can prepare all of the ingredients and store them separately in the refrigerator until ready to serve. The rice can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop, and the chicken can be reheated in a pan with a little bit of olive oil. The tzatziki sauce can be served cold or at room temperature. To assemble, simply place the rice in a bowl, top with the chicken and vegetables, and drizzle with the tzatziki sauce. To make it a fun and interactive meal, you can also set up a "build-your-own-bowl" station, where guests can assemble their own cava-style chicken over rice bowls with their preferred toppings and sauces

Nutrition Information

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.

rana

By Rana

Thanks for visiting my Mediterranean food blog and welcome to my virtual kitchen! Here, you’ll find mouth-watering, wholesome, and nutritious Mediterranean recipes that will change the way you view cooking.

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    I would love to hear your experience!

    Have you made this Chicken Over Rice Bowl? Did you serve it Cava style? Love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave me a comment below

    3 Comments

    • Sandy

      This is so delicious and fulfilling! The whole family loved it and his meal prep for three days!

      • Rana Madanat

        So glad to hear your family enjoyed it! Thanks to Sandy for the feedback!

      • Rana Madanat

        Awww, so glad to hear your family loved it, and you found this recipe easy to meal prep this is perfect!

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