Juicy Mediterranean Chicken Bowl with Rice Recipe
A vibrant and flavorful Juicy Mediterranean Chicken Bowl featuring marinated chicken cooked to perfection, served over fluffy rice with fresh vegetables, crumbled feta, and a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce. This recipe balances zesty lemon, herbs, and garlic for an authentic Mediterranean taste, ideal for a wholesome and satisfying meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 1 lb chicken, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1.5 tbsp lemon zest (about 1 whole lemon)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1.5 tsp garlic powder
- 2.5 tsp oregano
- 2 tsp basil
- 1.25 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (Fage Total 0% Milkfat Plain recommended)
- 1/2 cup cucumber, grated and excess liquid squeezed out
- 1.5 tbsp lemon juice
- 1.5 tbsp olive oil
- 1.5 tsp garlic, finely minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
Bowl Components
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2.5 cups tomatoes, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 2 cups cucumber, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
- 4 cups lettuce, torn or chopped
- 1 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Prepare the Marinade and Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, garlic powder, oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to create the marinade. Pound chicken pieces to about 1/2-inch thickness to ensure even cooking. Coat the chicken thoroughly with the marinade, place it in a bowl or resealable bag, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally for 1 hour to enhance the flavor.
- Make the Tzatziki Sauce: While the chicken marinates, mix Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (with excess liquid squeezed out), lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and chopped fresh dill in a bowl until fully combined. Refrigerate the sauce until ready to serve to allow flavors to meld.
- Prep the Vegetables and Rice: Tear or chop the lettuce, dice tomatoes and cucumber into 1/2-inch pieces, thinly slice the red onion, crumble the feta cheese, and chop fresh parsley. Ensure the rice is cooked and set aside. Having all ingredients ready streamlines the assembly process.
- Cook the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 10 minutes before cooking to come closer to room temperature for even cooking. For air fryer: preheat to 380°F, arrange chicken pieces in a single layer, and cook for 7 minutes. Shake the basket or flip the chicken, then cook 3-4 more minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F. For skillet: heat a drizzle of oil or butter over medium-high heat, cook chicken 7-8 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temp 165°F).
- Rest and Slice Chicken: Transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board and rest for 5 minutes. This step allows the juices to redistribute, keeping the chicken moist and tender.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the cooked rice into bowls as the base. Arrange the prepared lettuce, tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion around the rice. Slice the rested chicken and place on top. Add a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce over the chicken.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh parsley over the bowls for added flavor and color. Serve immediately while chicken is warm and veggies are crisp.
Notes
- Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes, ideally 1 hour, for maximum flavor infusion.
- Use fresh dill in the tzatziki sauce for the best taste; dried dill will alter the flavor noticeably.
- Remove chicken from fridge 10 minutes before cooking to promote even cooking.
- Ensure grated cucumber for tzatziki is well squeezed to avoid watery sauce.
- Cook chicken fully to an internal temperature of 165°F for food safety.
- Resting the chicken after cooking is crucial for juicy results.
- You can cook the chicken via air fryer or skillet depending on preference or equipment availability.
- Use Fage Total 0% Milkfat Plain Greek Yogurt for authentic tzatziki texture and flavor.
Keywords: Mediterranean chicken bowl, tzatziki sauce, grilled chicken, healthy chicken recipe, Greek chicken bowl, lemon herb chicken, air fryer chicken bowl
