Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (low fat or full fat)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 2 tablespoons chopped flat leaf parsley
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup shredded cucumber (or diced cucumber)
- 1 1/2 cups plain Greek yogurt (low fat or full fat)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 1/2 teaspoon grated garlic (use 1 teaspoon for stronger garlic flavor)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Bowl Assembly
- 1 cup quartered cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1/3 cup kalamata olives
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 cups cooked brown rice
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, combine all the chicken marinade ingredients including Greek yogurt, lemon juice, grated garlic, parsley, olive oil, oregano, smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine. Add the cubed chicken pieces and toss to coat thoroughly. Cover and let the chicken marinate for 30 minutes to absorb all the flavors.
- Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce: While the chicken marinates, in a separate bowl, mix together the shredded or diced cucumber, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, chopped dill, grated garlic, salt, and pepper. Stir until smooth and well combined. Refrigerate the tzatziki until you are ready to serve, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add enough olive oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Spread the marinated chicken pieces in a single layer. Let the chicken brown undisturbed for 3-4 minutes before flipping. Continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside.
- Assemble the Bowls: To serve, place cooked brown rice in each bowl as the base. Top with cooked chicken, diced cucumber, quartered cherry tomatoes, diced red onion, kalamata olives, and crumbled feta cheese. Spoon a generous dollop of the chilled tzatziki sauce over the top. Serve immediately and enjoy the vibrant flavors of this Mediterranean-inspired dish.
Notes
- For best results, use Greek yogurt with a thicker consistency for both the marinade and tzatziki.
- If you prefer a stronger garlic flavor in the tzatziki sauce, increase the garlic to 1 teaspoon.
- You can substitute brown rice with quinoa or couscous for a different grain base.
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes, but up to 2 hours for deeper flavor.
- Use fresh herbs like parsley and dill for an authentic taste.
- If you want to reduce fat, use low-fat Greek yogurt and reduce the amount of olive oil.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Bowls
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Gluten Free
