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Chicken Tzatziki Bowls Recipe

4.5 from 387 reviews

These Chicken Tzatziki Bowls are a vibrant and flavorful Mediterranean-inspired meal featuring tender grilled chicken marinated in aromatic spices, served over fluffy basmati rice with fresh veggies, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and a creamy, refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce. Perfect for a healthy and satisfying lunch or dinner, this recipe combines simple ingredients to create a balanced and colorful bowl bursting with taste and texture.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Chicken:

  • 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Bowls:

  • 2 cups cooked basmati rice
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cucumber, diced
  • ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • ¼ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese

For the Tzatziki Sauce:

  • 1 cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill or 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to fully penetrate the meat.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Preheat your grill, grill pan, or skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, until it is fully cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Remove from heat and let rest for a few minutes before slicing into strips.
  3. Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: In a small bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber with excess water squeezed out, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine and chill the sauce until ready to serve, allowing the flavors to meld.
  4. Assemble the Bowls: Divide the cooked basmati rice evenly into serving bowls. Arrange the sliced grilled chicken on top, then add cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, finely chopped red onion, parsley, Kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Drizzle generously with the chilled tzatziki sauce and garnish with extra herbs if desired. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Marinating the chicken overnight enhances the flavor and tenderness.
  • Grated cucumber for tzatziki should be well-squeezed to avoid a watery sauce.
  • You can substitute basmati rice with quinoa or couscous for variation.
  • For a lighter option, use chicken breast; thighs will be juicier but higher in fat.
  • This recipe can easily be made gluten-free and is naturally low in carbs if served without rice.

Keywords: Chicken Tzatziki Bowl, Mediterranean chicken bowl, grilled chicken recipe, healthy chicken bowl, tzatziki sauce, Greek chicken bowl, easy dinner recipe