Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole — Easy Cozy Dinner Recipe
This Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole is an easy, cozy dinner perfect for busy weeknights. Combining tender cooked chicken, uncooked rice, fresh vegetables, and creamy tzatziki sauce, this casserole bakes to perfection with vibrant flavors and a satisfying texture. Finished with tangy feta and fresh parsley, it’s a comforting dish that blends Mediterranean-inspired ingredients in one simple bake.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Dairy
- 2 cups Cooked Chicken (shredded or diced)
- 1 cup Feta Cheese (crumbled)
- 1 cup Tzatziki Sauce
Grains and Liquids
- 1 cup White Rice (uncooked)
- 2 cups Chicken Broth
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 cup Cucumber (diced)
- 1/2 cup Red Onion (finely chopped)
- 1 cup Grape Tomatoes (halved)
- 1/2 cup Kalamata Olives (pitted and sliced)
Seasonings and Garnish
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- Salt and Pepper (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Layer Rice and Broth: Spread the uncooked white rice evenly at the bottom of the prepared baking dish, then pour the chicken broth over it, ensuring all rice is submerged for even cooking.
- Add Chicken and Vegetables: Distribute the cooked shredded or diced chicken over the rice, followed by the diced cucumber, finely chopped red onion, halved grape tomatoes, and sliced Kalamata olives evenly across the top.
- Prepare Tzatziki Mixture: In a separate bowl, combine the tzatziki sauce with garlic powder, dried oregano, salt, and pepper to taste. Mix well to blend the flavors.
- Top with Tzatziki and Feta: Spread the seasoned tzatziki sauce mixture evenly over the layered chicken and vegetables. Then sprinkle crumbled feta cheese generously on top.
- Bake Covered: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, allowing the rice to cook and the flavors to meld.
- Finish Baking Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes so the feta cheese slightly browns and the casserole develops a delicious golden topping.
- Rest and Garnish: Let the casserole cool for a few minutes after baking. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving to add a fresh, vibrant touch.
Notes
- If you prefer, cooked rice can be used—reduce the chicken broth to 1 cup and bake for less time accordingly.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute cooked chicken with chickpeas or extra vegetables and use vegetable broth.
- Make sure to cover the casserole while baking initially to properly cook the rice through steaming.
- Feel free to add a squeeze of lemon juice on serving for added brightness.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Keywords: Chicken casserole, tzatziki chicken, Mediterranean dinner, baked chicken and rice, easy comforting meal, one dish dinner
