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.
- 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
- 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.
- Prepare the rice base: In the prepared baking dish, spread the uncooked white rice evenly across the bottom to ensure even cooking.
- Add chicken broth: Pour the chicken broth over the rice, making sure the rice is fully submerged to cook properly during baking.
- Add cooked chicken: Evenly distribute the shredded or diced cooked chicken over the rice to build the protein layer.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add feta cheese: Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly across the top of the casserole to add a salty, creamy finish.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
