Healthy Greek Chicken Bowls Recipe
This Healthy Greek Chicken Bowl recipe features marinated grilled chicken breasts served atop a bed of fluffy white rice, fresh romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Topped with creamy homemade tzatziki sauce and optional feta cheese, this dish is a flavorful and nutritious Mediterranean-inspired meal perfect for lunch or dinner.
- Author: Rita
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling/Air frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean/Greek
- Diet: Low Fat
Chicken Marinade
- 1 1/4 lb small chicken breasts (4 pieces)
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Bowl Filling
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, shredded
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2 cups cucumber, diced
- 2 cups white rice, cooked
- 1 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese (optional)
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (or low-fat sour cream)
- 1/2 cup cucumber, grated
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- Prepare chicken marinade: Whisk together olive oil, honey, lemon juice, dried oregano, lemon zest, dried basil, salt, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, and black pepper to create a flavorful marinade for the chicken.
- Marinate chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch for even cooking. Place chicken into a shallow bowl or seal in a ziplock bag with the marinade. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, preferably a few hours to absorb the flavors.
- Prepare tzatziki sauce: While the chicken marinates, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, fresh dill, olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and salt in a bowl. Stir well and set aside to chill and develop flavor.
- Prep rice and vegetables: Cook the white rice according to package instructions. Wash, slice, and dice the romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion in preparation for assembling the bowls.
- Cook chicken in air fryer: Preheat air fryer to 380°F. Place the marinated chicken breasts in the basket and cook for about 7 minutes on one side. Flip the chicken and cook another 3-4 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the chicken is cooked through.
- Alternate cooking method: If you don’t have an air fryer, heat a skillet over medium-low heat with a small amount of oil or butter. Fry the chicken breasts for 7-8 minutes on one side, flip, and cook until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Rest and slice chicken: Once cooked, allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes to retain juices, then slice into strips for serving.
- Assemble bowls: Start with a base of cooked rice in each bowl. Add a layer of shredded romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Top with sliced chicken and a dollop of tzatziki sauce. Optionally sprinkle feta cheese and drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice or lemon tahini dressing for extra zest.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve the Healthy Greek Chicken Bowls immediately for a fresh, balanced, and delicious Mediterranean meal.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes; overnight marination will enhance the flavor even more.
- Substitute brown rice for a whole grain option to increase fiber content.
- Adjust red pepper flakes depending on your spice preference or omit for no heat.
- Feta cheese is optional and can be omitted for a lighter or dairy-free version.
- Tzatziki can be made ahead and kept refrigerated for up to 2 days.
- Ensure chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
- Use fresh herbs like oregano and basil if available for a brighter flavor.
- For a low-carb version, replace rice with cauliflower rice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (about 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: Greek chicken bowl, healthy chicken bowl, Mediterranean chicken recipe, tzatziki chicken bowl, Greek cuisine, chicken with tzatziki, healthy lunch bowl