Description
This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole is a flavorful and easy one-dish meal combining tender chicken, rice, fresh vegetables, and creamy Greek-style tzatziki sauce. Layers of cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese create a delicious Mediterranean-inspired casserole that’s perfect for a comforting family dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Rice
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
Vegetables and Toppings
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Sauce and Seasoning
- 1 cup Greek-style tzatziki sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare the baking dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or a similar casserole dish to prevent sticking.
- Layer the rice: Add the uncooked white rice to the baking dish and spread it evenly across the bottom to form a uniform base layer.
- Add chicken broth: Pour the 2 cups of chicken broth over the rice, making sure the rice is completely submerged to ensure even cooking.
- Distribute cooked chicken: Evenly spread the shredded or diced cooked chicken over the rice and broth layer.
- Add fresh vegetables: Scatter the diced cucumber, finely chopped red onion, halved grape tomatoes, and sliced Kalamata olives evenly over the chicken layer.
- Prepare tzatziki sauce mixture: In a medium bowl, combine the Greek-style tzatziki sauce with garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper; mix well to blend all the flavors.
- Spread the sauce: Evenly spread the seasoned tzatziki sauce mixture over the chicken and vegetable layers, ensuring they are completely covered.
- Add feta cheese: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly across the top of the casserole to add a tangy and creamy finishing touch.
- Bake covered: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and the chicken is heated through.
- Remove foil and continue baking: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to allow the feta cheese to become slightly golden and lightly browned.
- Cool and garnish: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before sprinkling the chopped fresh parsley on top for a fresh, vibrant garnish. Serve warm.
Notes
- You can use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken to save time.
- If you prefer, substitute brown rice; however, cooking time may need to be adjusted.
- For a vegetarian version, replace chicken with chickpeas or tofu and use vegetable broth.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to your taste and dietary preferences.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: chicken casserole, tzatziki casserole, Greek chicken bake, Mediterranean chicken recipe, easy baked chicken dish
