Greek Chicken Bowl (Printable)

Juicy spiced chicken over herb rice with fresh vegetables and tangy tzatziki sauce.

# Ingredient List:

→ Herbed Rice

01 - 1 cup long-grain white rice
02 - 2 cups water
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
05 - 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Greek Chicken

07 - 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
08 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
09 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1 tablespoon dried oregano
12 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
13 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Tomato-Cucumber Salad

16 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
17 - 1 cup cucumber, diced
18 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely sliced
19 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
20 - 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
21 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
22 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Assembly

23 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
24 - 1 cup tzatziki sauce
25 - Lemon wedges for serving
26 - Extra chopped parsley or dill for garnish

# Steps:

01 - Rinse rice under cold water until water runs clear. Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add rice and sauté for 1-2 minutes. Pour in water, add dried oregano and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, let stand 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and stir in chopped parsley.
02 - In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and toss to coat thoroughly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator.
03 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until cooked through and juices run clear. Let rest for 5 minutes, then slice.
04 - In a bowl, combine cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced red onion, olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh dill, salt, and pepper. Toss gently to combine.
05 - Divide herbed rice among four bowls. Top each with sliced chicken, tomato-cucumber salad, olives, and a generous dollop of tzatziki. Garnish with extra herbs and serve with lemon wedges.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It comes together in under an hour, which means weeknight dinner without the stress or the takeout box guilt.
  • Everything tastes vibrant and fresh, but the flavors are deep enough that it doesn't feel like you're eating something healthy—it just feels good.
  • You can prep components ahead and assemble bowls whenever you're ready, making it perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd without flipping your lid.
02 -
  • Don't skip the resting time for both the rice and the chicken—it sounds like you're waiting around, but you're actually ensuring everything stays tender and juicy instead of drying out or turning mushy.
  • The magic happens when you assemble the bowl right before eating, so don't leave the chicken sitting in the warm rice for hours or it'll dry out.
03 -
  • If your chicken starts browning too quickly but isn't cooked through yet, lower the heat slightly or move the pan to a cooler spot on the stove—you want a golden crust, not a burnt crust.
  • Squeeze your lemon wedges over the whole bowl right before eating; the acidity brightens everything and makes the flavors pop in a way that's almost impossible to describe until you taste it.
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