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Fresh Tzatziki Chicken Bowls

Category: Dinner

This meal features chicken soaked in flavors like smoked paprika, oregano, and cumin, grilled until juicy and perfectly charred. It’s served on soft basmati rice and topped with fresh parsley, Kalamata olives, chopped cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes, red onion, and feta cheese crumbles. The tzatziki sauce is made with Greek yogurt, lemon, garlic, grated cucumber, and dill for a cool touch. Letting the chicken soak overnight really boosts its taste and juiciness, while grilling gives it a nice smoky edge. This bowl mixes fresh Mediterranean flavors and textures for a balanced and hearty dish.

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Dana
Recipe Created By Dana
Last updated on Sun, 21 Sep 2025 21:17:06 GMT
Chicken bowl with cucumbers and lemon on the side Save
Chicken bowl with cucumbers and lemon on the side | chefsnaps.com

These Mediterranean Chicken Bowls with Tzatziki deliver bright flavors and healthy ingredients for a meal that’s both light and filling. The juicy marinated chicken goes great with cool, creamy tzatziki and a bunch of colorful veggies. It’s perfect whether you want a simple lunch or a filling dinner.

I first whipped this up to brighten a cold night and it quickly turned into my favorite for easy weeknight meals.

What You’ll Need

  • Chicken thighs or breasts: Great juicy protein that soaks up the marinade well. Pick fresh pieces with little fat for best results
  • Olive oil: Adds smoothness to both the marinade and tzatziki
  • Lemon juice: Gives a bright zing that lifts the whole dish
  • Garlic: Brings a bold aroma and deep flavor to the chicken and sauce
  • Smoked paprika and cumin: Add warm smoky flavors that work nicely with the herbs
  • Greek yogurt: The creamy base for the tzatziki. Use plain full-fat yogurt for the best tang
  • Cucumber: Grated and squeezed to keep the tzatziki thick and fresh
  • Dill (fresh or dried): Brings a fresh herby touch to the sauce
  • Basmati rice: Nutty, fluffy base that holds all the good stuff
  • Cherry tomatoes, chopped cucumber, red onion, parsley, Kalamata olives, and feta: These add color, crunch, and classic Mediterranean flavor

Step-By-Step Cooking

Mix the Marinade
Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, smashed garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper in a big bowl. This mix gives the chicken its warm Mediterranean flavor.
Let the Chicken Soak
Coat the chicken with the marinade and turn to cover well. Pop it in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Letting it sit overnight makes it even more tender and tasty.
Grill the Chicken
Heat a pan or grill to medium-high. Take the chicken out of the marinade and cook for 5 to 7 minutes each side or until it hits 165°F (75°C). Let it rest a bit after cooking so it stays juicy, then slice it up.
Make the Tzatziki
In a bowl, mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (squeezed dry), minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and chill until you’re ready to eat.
Put It All Together
Split the cooked basmati rice between your bowls. Add the sliced chicken on top, then layer with cherry tomatoes, cucumber chunks, red onion, parsley, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese. Spoon over plenty of tzatziki and throw on some extra herbs if you want.
A bowl of chicken tzatziki with vegetables.
A bowl of chicken tzatziki with vegetables. | chefsnaps.com

This bowl quickly became a hit at family get-togethers where everyone loves building their own just how they like it. My kids load up with extra olives and feta while my husband always sneaks a little more tzatziki. It’s a dish that’s perfect for sharing and makes every meal feel special.

How to Keep It Fresh

Put leftover chicken, rice, and tzatziki in separate airtight containers and keep for up to three days to keep them fresh and tasty. Keep the veggies apart so they don’t get soggy. Add the chopped tomatoes and cucumbers fresh right before eating. Freeze only cooked chicken and rice if you need to store longer. It’s best to make tzatziki fresh when you’re ready to eat for the creamiest taste.

Mixing It Up

Try swapping the basmati rice with quinoa or couscous to mix up the grains and nutrition. You can marinate the chicken in Greek yogurt with the spices to make it extra tender and tangy. Toss in some roasted red peppers or artichoke hearts to add more Mediterranean flavor layers.

Great Things to Serve With It

Pair this bowl with warm pita or crispy flatbreads for a nice crunch. A crisp Greek salad with olives, tomatoes, and cucumber goes great with it and makes a full Mediterranean spread. A glass of chilled Sauvignon Blanc or a light rosé wine refreshes the palate and matches the grilled chicken and zesty tzatziki perfectly.

A bowl of chicken and vegetables.
A bowl of chicken and vegetables. | chefsnaps.com

This dish brings all the fresh, bright tastes of the Mediterranean right to your table with no fuss.

Frequently Asked Cooking Questions

→ How can I make the chicken more flavorful?

Let the chicken sit overnight in the lemon, garlic, and spice mix so it soaks up the flavors and stays juicy.

→ Can I substitute the basmati rice with something else?

Sure, you can swap basmati rice for cauliflower rice or some greens if you want a lighter option that still fills you up.

→ What is the best way to cook the chicken evenly?

Use a grill or grill pan on medium-high heat. Cook each side for 5 to 7 minutes until the chicken hits 165°F (75°C) inside.

→ How do I prepare the tzatziki sauce to avoid it being watery?

After you grate the cucumber, squeeze it well to get rid of moisture before mixing it with the yogurt, so the sauce stays thick and creamy.

→ What herbs complement the flavors in this dish?

Dill and fresh parsley add a nice fresh touch that balances the rich chicken and creamy sauce with bright Mediterranean vibes.

Tzatziki Chicken Bowls

Juicy chicken soaked in spices paired with cool tzatziki and crisp Mediterranean bowl ingredients for a lively meal.

Preparation Duration
35 minutes
Time to Cook
15 minutes
Overall Time
50 minutes
Recipe Created By: Dana

Type of Recipe: Dinner

Cooking Skill Level: Simple for Beginners

Cuisine Style: Mediterranean

Serving Amount: 4 Number of Servings (4 Mediterranean bowls)

Dietary Options: Free From Gluten

Ingredients You'll Need

→ Chicken Mix

01 Skinless chicken breasts or thighs, 680 grams
02 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
03 A pinch of black pepper and salt to your liking
04 1 teaspoon dried oregano
05 3 cloves garlic, minced up small
06 45 milliliters fresh lemon juice
07 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 60 milliliters olive oil

→ Tzatziki

09 245 grams Greek yogurt
10 1 clove garlic, finely minced
11 About 15 milliliters lemon juice
12 Olive oil, 15 milliliters
13 1 teaspoon dried dill or fresh dill (chopped), about 1 tablespoon
14 Salt and black pepper to taste
15 Grated cucumber, 1, with water squeezed out

→ Bowl Fixins

16 480 milliliters cooked basmati rice
17 Feta cheese, crumbled, 60 milliliters
18 Kalamata olives sliced and pitted, 60 milliliters
19 Red onion chopped small, 60 milliliters
20 Cucumber diced, 1 whole
21 Cherry tomatoes halved, 150 grams
22 Chopped fresh parsley, 60 milliliters

Detailed Preparation Steps

Step 01

Put all the marinade stuff like olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and spices in a big bowl. Stir it up good until it's mixed well.

Step 02

Toss the chicken in that marinade and make sure it's all covered. Pop it in the fridge for at least half an hour. Overnight is even better if you want juicier meat.

Step 03

Heat your grill, grill pan, or skillet on medium-high. Take the chicken out of the marinade and cook each side for about 5 to 7 minutes. Check if it's reached 75°C inside. Let it sit a bit before cutting it into strips.

Step 04

In a bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, minced garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, grated cucumber, dill, salt, and pepper. Stir it all smooth and chill it until you're ready to eat.

Step 05

Split the basmati rice into your bowls. Layer on the chicken strips, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, olives, and feta. Drizzle some cool tzatziki on top and add extra herbs if you want.

Helpful Tips

  1. Let the chicken sit in the marinade overnight if you can. Then rest it before you slice to keep it juicy.
  2. Want to cut carbs? Swap the rice for cauliflower rice or some leafy greens.

Essential Kitchen Tools

  • Skillet, grill pan, or grill
  • Big mixing bowl
  • Grater
  • Meat thermometer

Allergy Information

Always check labels for allergens and reach out to a healthcare expert if unsure.
  • Has garlic and dairy
  • Might have gluten if you swap rice for grains that have gluten

Nutrition Information (Per Portion)

Nutrition facts are provided for reference and don’t replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 520
  • Fat Content: 22 grams
  • Carbohydrate Amount: 45 grams
  • Protein Content: 38 grams