Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
Vegetables and Grain Base
- 1 cup cooked rice or quinoa
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup kalamata olives (optional)
Garnishes (Optional)
- Fresh parsley or dill, chopped
- Crumbled feta cheese
- Toasted pine nuts
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade and Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Coat the chicken breasts or thighs thoroughly and marinate for at least 15 minutes, preferably up to an hour for deeper flavor.
- Make the Tzatziki Sauce: Grate the cucumber and squeeze out excess moisture using a towel or cheesecloth. Combine the grated cucumber, Greek yogurt, minced garlic, fresh dill, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Stir well until smooth and refrigerate to meld flavors.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the marinated chicken for 5-7 minutes per side or until cooked through and golden brown. Remove from heat and let the chicken rest, then slice into strips or bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare the Vegetables and Grain Base: While the chicken cooks, rinse and chop cherry tomatoes, thinly slice red onions, and prepare your choice of cooked rice or quinoa. Arrange these as the base in your serving bowls.
- Assemble the Bowls: Layer the sliced chicken over the grain base, add the chopped vegetables, kalamata olives if using, and dollop generous spoonfuls of the tzatziki sauce. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh dill or parsley and optional garnishes like crumbled feta or pine nuts.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes or overnight for juicier results.
- Thoroughly drain grated cucumber to prevent watery tzatziki.
- Use fresh herbs and garlic for better flavor than dried alternatives.
- Allow chicken to rest after cooking to maintain tenderness and moisture.
- Serve rice or quinoa slightly warm to contrast with the cool tzatziki sauce.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: Greek chicken bowl, Tzatziki bowl, Mediterranean chicken, healthy chicken bowl, Greek yogurt sauce, Mediterranean diet, quick chicken dinner, healthy meal prep