Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or chicken breasts)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Tzatziki Sauce:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (plain, full-fat preferred)
- 1 cucumber, finely grated and squeezed to remove excess liquid
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Bowl Base:
- 2 cups cooked basmati or jasmine rice (or substitute quinoa or couscous)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for fluffing rice)
Toppings:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup cucumber, diced
- ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup Kalamata olives, halved
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, cumin, smoked paprika, coriander, salt, and black pepper.
- Add the chicken thighs to the marinade, ensuring each piece is well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 4 hours for more intense flavor.
Step 2: Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce
- In a small mixing bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, olive oil, fresh dill, lemon juice, and salt. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Refrigerate until ready to serve, allowing the flavors to meld.
Step 3: Cook the Chicken
- Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add a drizzle of olive oil if using a skillet.
- Cook the marinated chicken for 4-5 minutes per side, or until fully cooked with an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Remove from the skillet and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips.
Step 4: Prepare the Base and Toppings
- Fluff your cooked rice with a fork, adding olive oil if desired for extra flavor and moisture.
- Prep your toppings: halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumbers, slice the onions, and crumble the feta cheese.
Step 5: Assemble the Bowls
- Divide the rice evenly among 4 bowls as the base.
- Top each bowl with sliced chicken, a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce, and your prepared toppings (tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, olives, and feta cheese).
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 4g
- Fat: 19g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 38g