Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole

With the delightful flavors of Greece wrapped in a cozy casserole, this Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole is a dish that not only satisfies the palate but also warms the heart. In just a single dish, you’ll experience the fresh crunch of cucumbers, the briny touch of Kalamata olives, and the creamy richness of tzatziki sauce—all beautifully layered over tender chicken and fluffy rice. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings, effortlessly bringing everyone together around the dinner table for a homemade meal that feels both special and comforting.

What makes this casserole truly stand out is its simplicity. With minimal prep and a quick bake in the oven, you can have a wholesome meal on the table in no time. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or just want to treat your family, this dish will become a favorite for its unique flavor combination and ease of preparation. Readers will love how quickly it comes together without sacrificing taste, making it a go-to recipe in any home cook’s collection.

This is what the finished dish looks like when perfectly baked.

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

Here’s a glimpse of the fresh ingredients ready to come together in the casserole.

Directions

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

Tips & Variations

• Ingredient Substitutions: Swap cooked chicken for rotisserie chicken for an even quicker option. For a vegetarian version, replace chicken with chickpeas or sautéed vegetables.
• Optional Variations: Add a sprinkle of fresh dill for extra flavor or include other vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for added nutrition.
• Storage or Reheating Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

Recipe Information

• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Cook time: 55 minutes
• Total time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Servings: 6
• Difficulty level: Easy

Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole

450kcal

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Prep 15 minutes mins

Cook 55 minutes mins

Total 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

A cozy casserole with the delightful flavors of Greece, combining chicken, rice, and tzatziki sauce for a comforting and easy meal.

Servings 6 servings

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Greek, Mediterranean

Ingredients

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Main 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

Method

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Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or similar casserole dish.
2. In the prepared dish, add the uncooked rice and spread it evenly across the bottom.
3. Pour the chicken broth over the rice, ensuring that the rice is fully submerged.
4. Evenly distribute the cooked chicken over the rice.
5. Scatter the diced cucumber, chopped red onion, halved grape tomatoes, and sliced Kalamata olives on top of the chicken layer.
6. In a bowl, mix the tzatziki sauce with garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
7. Spread the tzatziki sauce mixture evenly over the vegetables and chicken, ensuring everything is well-covered.
8. Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese across the top of the casserole.
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. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the feta cheese is slightly golden.
11. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes, then garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition

Serving1gCalories450kcalCarbohydrates45gProtein30gFat18gSaturated Fat8gSodium600mgFiber3gSugar4g

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions: Swap cooked chicken for rotisserie chicken for an even quicker option. For a vegetarian version, replace chicken with chickpeas or sautéed vegetables. Optional Variations: Add a sprinkle of fresh dill for extra flavor or include other vegetables like bell peppers or spinach for added nutrition. Storage or Reheating Tips: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.

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