Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole combines tender chicken, flavorful vegetables, and creamy tzatziki sauce for a simple yet satisfying meal. It’s a hands-off dish perfect for busy weeknights that brings Greek-inspired flavors straight to your table.

A white round dish filled with a three-layer meal, the bottom layer is light yellow rice with a slightly crispy top edge, the middle layer is a soft white sauce spread unevenly across the rice, and the top layer is a mix of fresh toppings including halved bright red cherry tomatoes, dark purple olives, chopped green cucumber, small pieces of white cheese, light purple onion slices, and sprinkled green herbs. The surface shows a golden-brown baked cheese crust with some darker spots, all resting on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
  • 1 cup uncooked white rice
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 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 Greek-style tzatziki sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or similar casserole dish.
  2. Step 2: In the prepared dish, add the uncooked rice and spread it evenly across the bottom.
  3. Step 3: Pour the chicken broth over the rice, ensuring that the rice is submerged.
  4. Step 4: Evenly distribute the cooked chicken over the rice.
  5. Step 5: Scatter the diced cucumber, chopped red onion, halved grape tomatoes, and sliced Kalamata olives on top of the chicken layer.
  6. Step 6: In a bowl, mix the tzatziki sauce with garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
  7. Step 7: Spread the tzatziki sauce mixture evenly over the vegetables and chicken, ensuring everything is covered.
  8. Step 8: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese across the top.
  9. Step 9: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the rice is cooked and the chicken is heated through.
  10. Step 10: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the feta cheese is slightly golden.
  11. Step 11: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes, then garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Tips & Variations

  • Use rotisserie chicken to save time and add extra flavor.
  • Substitute quinoa for rice for a higher-protein alternative.
  • Add a handful of spinach or chopped fresh dill to the vegetable layer for extra freshness.
  • Serve with warm pita bread or a simple side salad to round out the meal.

Storage

Store leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through. For longer storage, freeze portions for up to 2 months and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

The image shows a white round dish filled with a baked casserole that has a golden-brown, slightly crispy top layer with some slightly burnt edges. The base layer is creamy and light yellow, likely made of rice or a similar grain. On top, there is a layer of white creamy sauce scattered with chopped bright green parsley, small cubes of pale green cucumber, halves of shiny red cherry tomatoes, dark purple olives, and thin slices of purple onion. The ingredients are spread evenly across the top, creating a colorful and fresh look against the golden casserole beneath. The dish is placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Yes, you can use brown rice, but it will require a longer baking time and more liquid. Adjust cooking time accordingly and consider pre-cooking the brown rice slightly before assembling the casserole.

Is it necessary to cover the casserole with foil during baking?

Covering the casserole with foil helps the rice cook evenly and keeps the moisture in. Removing the foil toward the end allows the feta cheese to brown and adds a nice texture.

Print

Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole Recipe

This Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole is a flavorful and convenient one-dish meal that combines tender chicken, uncooked rice, fresh vegetables, and creamy Greek-style tzatziki sauce topped with crumbled feta cheese. Perfect for a hassle-free dinner, it requires minimal prep and bakes in the oven to create a comforting Greek-inspired casserole with layers of savory and tangy flavors.

  • Author: Rita
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Greek

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Rice Base

  • 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

Sauce and Seasoning

  • 1 cup Greek-style tzatziki sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Cheese and Garnish

  • 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or similar casserole dish to prevent sticking.
  2. Prepare the rice base: In the prepared baking dish, spread the uncooked white rice evenly across the bottom to ensure even cooking.
  3. Add chicken broth: Pour the chicken broth over the rice, making sure the rice is fully submerged to cook properly during baking.
  4. Add cooked chicken: Evenly distribute the shredded or diced cooked chicken over the rice to build the protein layer.
  5. Add vegetables: Scatter the diced cucumber, finely chopped red onion, halved grape tomatoes, and sliced Kalamata olives evenly over the chicken for fresh flavor and texture.
  6. Mix and spread tzatziki sauce: In a bowl, combine the Greek-style tzatziki sauce with garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Spread this mixture evenly over the vegetable and chicken layers, covering everything well.
  7. Add feta cheese: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly across the top of the casserole to add a salty, creamy finish.
  8. Bake covered: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, allowing the rice to fully cook and the chicken to heat through.
  9. Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes to let the feta cheese turn slightly golden and develop a delicate crust.
  10. Garnish and serve: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before garnishing with chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm and enjoy your Greek-inspired meal.

Notes

  • You can use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken for convenience.
  • Ensure the rice is fully submerged in the chicken broth to cook evenly during baking.
  • Feel free to adjust the amount of garlic powder and oregano to your taste.
  • Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels if desired.
  • This casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated before serving.

Keywords: Chicken Tzatziki Casserole, Greek casserole, one-dish meal, baked chicken casserole, tzatziki sauce recipe

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