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Flavorful Greek Chicken Bowls Recipe with Easy Creamy Tzatziki Sauce

Greek chicken bowls - featured image

A vibrant Mediterranean-inspired chicken bowl featuring juicy herb-marinated chicken thighs, crisp veggies, and a creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. Perfect for a quick, flavorful weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for marinade)
  • 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (for marinade)
  • 1 tbsp dried oregano
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (for marinade)
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 cup full fat Greek yogurt (e.g., Fage or Chobani)
  • 1/2 English cucumber, grated and drained
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, finely minced (for tzatziki)
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (for tzatziki)
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for tzatziki)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste (for tzatziki)
  • 2 cups cooked rice or quinoa (white or brown)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  • 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
  • Fresh parsley or mint leaves, for garnish

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Add chicken thighs and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours.
  2. While chicken marinates, grate half the cucumber finely. Place grated cucumber in a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth and squeeze out excess water.
  3. In another bowl, combine Greek yogurt, squeezed cucumber, minced garlic, chopped dill, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Mix well and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  4. Prepare rice or quinoa according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and keep warm.
  5. Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add marinated chicken thighs and cook for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through and browned. Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C). Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
  6. While chicken cooks, halve cherry tomatoes, slice red onion thinly, and slice Kalamata olives. Chop fresh parsley or mint for garnish.
  7. Divide cooked rice or quinoa between bowls. Layer sliced chicken on top, then arrange tomatoes, olives, and onions around. Dollop generous spoonfuls of tzatziki over the chicken and garnish with fresh herbs.
  8. Serve immediately for best contrast between warm chicken and cool sauce.

Notes

Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes for best flavor; 15 minutes is acceptable if short on time. Drain grated cucumber thoroughly to avoid watery tzatziki. Use medium-high heat for cooking chicken to get a good sear without burning garlic. Let chicken rest after cooking to keep it juicy. Tzatziki sauce keeps up to 3 days refrigerated; stir before serving. For dairy-free option, substitute Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt. Quinoa is a great gluten-free grain option.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek chicken bowl, tzatziki sauce, Mediterranean recipe, easy chicken dinner, healthy chicken bowl, herb-marinated chicken, creamy tzatziki, quick dinner