Have you ever grown tired of the traditional recipes you make for dinner and lunch? The solution is here! Let me introduce you to a new innovative twist which is Greek Chicken Rice Bowls.
There is nothing better than this rice bowl! Its flavors will take you to a heavenly place by its exquisite flavors. You will enjoy the taste of the marinated and cooked chicken breast with the fresh tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumber, Kalamata olives, lemon, and Feta served with Tzatziki sauce. Consequently, you will experience an explosion of flavors.
A Fresh and Colorful Greek Meal
The History of Greek Chicken Rice Bowls
This recipe may not have a long historical tradition, but the ingredients found in this recipe originate from Greek cuisine.
Of course, we have all heard about Greek salad which is the combination of tomatoes, cucumber, olives, onion, and feta cheese. However, the combination of these ingredients along with olive oil and oregano is ancient and has been popular in the mid-20th century.
Why Will You Love Greek Chicken Rice Bowls?
Rice bowls are actually super popular for meal prep in advance. It will only take you little time if you’ve chopped your veggies in advance. Thus, you can take it with you to work or school.
Besides, this meal is healthy as its key ingredients are fresh vegetables and chicken. You will love these chicken rice bowls as they make you feel satisfied and full.
A Delicious and Healthy Rice Bowl Meal
Recipe Variations
You can use shrimp, beef, lamb, or even falafel for a vegetarian options instead of chicken.
Additionally, you can substitute rice by quinoa, couscous, or bulgur for a more nutritious meal.
Spinach, kale, arugula, or lettuce may substitute the used vegetables.
Top Tips
Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, yogurt, salt, and pepper.
To achieve the best flavors, go for high quality ingredients especially when it comes to olive oil, olives, and feta cheese.
Cook the rice properly and make sure that it doesn’t go sticky by using a fork.
In addition to that, using fresh greens adds freshness and nutrition to the meal.
To enhance the bowl’s flavor, grill vegetables such as bell pepper, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes.
You can also wrap it using warm pita bread or flatbread. Thus, this will make it more delicious.
An Easy-to-Make Chicken Meal
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, you can substitute chicken breast with ground chicken, meat, shrimps, or turkey as long as you enjoy it.
The Tzatziki sauce will be edible until the cucumber starts to release water into the sauce, and then there will be separation. Later, the taste of the dish will change.
Marinate the chicken with lemon juice, oregano, salt, olive oil, yogurt, and pepper for at least 30 minutes. Therefore, this will make it tender and flavorful.
You can use quinoa, couscous, bulgur, or brown rice. However, it depends on your preference.
A Greek Origin Meal
Ingredients
To make this exceptional meal, you will need the following ingredients.
Chicken Breast: Use high quality chicken breasts for a successful recipe. It is guaranteed that it will stay moist with the marinade sauce.
Olive Oil: It is a key ingredient in Mediterranean cuisine. It is used to marinate the chicken and to drizzle over the finished meal.
Lemon Juice: It adds a fresh and sharp flavor to the recipe when added to the other ingredients. Thus, a burst of flavors will appear.
Garlic: Use minced or crushed garlic to marinate the chicken. Besides, it helps to create an amazing flavor.
Dried Oregano and Thyme: Certainly, they have exceptional flavors that you should use in the chicken marinade.
Greek Yogurt: Marinate the chicken in yogurt especially to keep it tender and creamy.
Salt and Pepper: Briefly, these seasonings create a flavorful meal.
Basmati Rice: You can use basmati rice, quinoa, couscous, or bulgur as a main ingredient. However, basmati rice is light and absorbs the flavor of the toppings.
Cucumber, Cherry Tomatoes, and Red Onions: Chopping these vegetables will particularly add sweetness and refreshing crunch to the bowl.
Feta Cheese: In the case of Greek chicken rice bowls, add it on the top to add creaminess to the bowl.
Tzatziki Sauce: In addition, garlic, cucumber, lemon juice, and olive oil are the main ingredients of this sauce. Thus, it is a cooling and creamy dressing.
Kalamata Olives: They add a salty flavor to this recipe.
Jalapeños: They are chili pickles that add a spicy kick to meals.
A Balanced Greek Meal
Meal Preparation
To prepare this tasty recipe, you need to follow these steps.
Preparing the Chicken Breasts
Firstly, cut your chicken breasts in half to make two thin pieces.
Second, add to a bowl yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, and the seasonings, and then mix well to marinate the chicken for 30 minutes.
Later, add oil to your pan on medium heat and add the chicken breasts.
Next, cook each side of the chicken for 6 to 8 minutes until it becomes golden.
Then, remove the chicken pieces and let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing them.
Cooking Rice
First, wash the rice and wash it in cold water multiple times before cooking.
Second, add the oil to the pan on high heat, and then add the drained rice.
Then, add the seasonings, and mix well.
Next, add in the hot water and mix.
Now, let the rice boil for 2 to 3 minutes before covering and lowering the heat to low. Then, let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until done, and lastly fluff with a fork.
Finally, mix the ingredients all together, and then make layers of rice, salad, and sliced chicken. Add fetta cheese, pitted Kalamata olives, pickled jalapenos, or red onions, and then serve with tzatziki sauce and enjoy.
Try Out This Heavenly Greek Chicken Meal
Must-try Recipes:
Easy Greek Style Baked Chicken
Chicken Gyros with Tzatziki Sauce
Mediterranean Style Chicken Salad with Creamy Yogurt Dressing
Authentic Tandoori Chicken Recipe
Bukhari Rice and Chicken (Ruz Bukhari)
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Greek Chicken Rice Bowls
Equipment
- 1 skillet
Ingredients
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 2 large chicken breasts sliced in half
- ⅓ cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1½ teaspoons coriander powder
- 1½ teaspoons dried coriander
- 1½ teaspoons dried basil
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon paprika or smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teasppon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
For the Rice:
- 1 cup basmati rice soaked and washed
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 cups hot water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
for the Greek salad:
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes quartered
- 1 cup cucumbers diced
- ½ large red onion finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- salt to taste
For Serving Your Rice Bowl:
- kalamata olives
- feta cheese
- pickled jalapeños
- tzatziki sauce
Instructions
For the Chicken:
- Cut the chicken breasts in half to make two thin pieces.
- Add yogurt, lemon juice, and olive oil to a bowl. Then, add the seasonings and mix well.
- Marinate the chicken for 30 minutes.
- Lightly oil to your pan on medium heat and add the chicken breasts.
- Then, cook each side of the chicken for 6 to 8 minutes until it becomes golden.
- Finally, let them rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
For Cooking the Rice:
- Wash the rice in cold water multiple times before cooking.
- Add the oil to the pot on high heat, and then add the drained rice.
- Add the seasonings and mix well. Then, add in the hot water and mix.
- Let the rice come to a rolling boil for 2 to 3 minutes before covering and lowering the heat to low.
- Let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until it is done. Then, fluff with a fork.
For Layering Your Chicken Rice Bowl:
- Mix the salad ingredients together.
- Add some rice, salad, and sliced chicken breast.
- Add feta cheese, pitted Kalamata olives, pickled jalapenos, or red onions. Serve with Tzatziki sauce and enjoy.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, yogurt, salt, and pepper.
- To have the best flavors, get high quality ingredients, especially when it comes to olive oil, olives, and feta cheese.
- Cook the rice properly and make sure that it doesn’t go sticky by using a fork.
- Using fresh greens adds freshness and nutrition to the meal.
