Greek Chicken Bowls are a delightful blend of flavors and textures that make for a nutritious, vibrant meal. This dish combines tender marinated chicken, fresh vegetables, and a creamy tzatziki sauce, all served over a hearty base of quinoa or rice. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep, these bowls are sure to become a favorite in your household.
Recipe Information
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Difficulty Level: Easy
Nutrition Information
- Calories per serving: 450
- Protein: 35 grams
- Carbohydrates: 40 grams
- Fat: 20 grams
- Fiber: 5 grams
- Sugar: 3 grams
- Sodium: 600 mg
Why Make This Greek Chicken Bowls
These Greek Chicken Bowls offer a burst of Mediterranean flavors that can transport you to sunny shores with every bite. The combination of juicy chicken, crisp vegetables, and the herbaceous tzatziki sauce creates a deliciously satisfying dish. Additionally, it’s a balanced meal, providing a variety of nutrients and can easily be customized to suit different tastes or dietary needs. Whether you’re looking to impress guests or whip up something quick for the family, these bowls deliver both flavor and ease.
How to Make Greek Chicken Bowls
Making Greek Chicken Bowls is straightforward and enjoyable. Here’s how to create this colorful, nutritious dish from scratch.
Ingredients:
- Chicken breasts
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Lemon juice
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Cucumber
- Tomato
- Red onion
- Feta cheese
- Kalamata olives
- Cooked quinoa or rice
- Fresh parsley
- Tzatziki sauce ingredients:
- Greek yogurt
- Cucumber
- Garlic
- Lemon juice
- Dill
Directions:
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Step 1: Marinating the Chicken
Start by marinating the chicken breasts in olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper for at least 30 minutes. This step enhances the flavor and tenderness of the chicken.
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Step 2: Cooking the Chicken
Once marinated, grill or bake the chicken until it is cooked through and no longer pink in the center, about 6–8 minutes per side if grilling or 20 minutes in a 400°F oven.
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Step 3: Preparing the Tzatziki Sauce
Mix Greek yogurt with grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, and fresh dill in a bowl. This creamy sauce will add a refreshing touch to your bowls.
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Step 4: Chopping the Vegetables
Thoroughly chop the fresh veggies, including cucumber, tomato, and red onion. Set them aside for assembly.
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Step 5: Assembling the Bowls
After the chicken cools slightly, slice it and begin assembling the bowls. Start with a generous scoop of cooked quinoa or rice, layering on the fresh veggies, sliced chicken, feta cheese, and Kalamata olives.
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Step 6: Garnishing and Serving
Top each bowl with a dollop of tzatziki sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve right away.
How to Serve Greek Chicken Bowls
Serve these Greek Chicken Bowls warm, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully. They can be enjoyed as a complete meal on their own but can also be paired with a side of pita bread or a light Greek salad for an extra touch. These bowls are great for lunch or dinner, and they make excellent meal prep options.
How to Store Greek Chicken Bowls
For optimal freshness, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The Greek Chicken Bowls will keep well for up to three days. If you’re storing components separately (chicken, veggies, tzatziki), they can last even longer. Reheat the chicken gently in the microwave or on the stove before serving again.
Expert Tips for Perfect Greek Chicken Bowls
- For added flavor, consider adding herbs like oregano or thyme to your chicken marinade.
- You can substitute chicken with grilled shrimp or chickpeas for a vegetarian version.
- Experiment with different grains such as farro or brown rice for variety.
- Adjust the creaminess of the tzatziki sauce with more or less Greek yogurt, depending on your preference.
Delicious Variations
- Mediterranean Rice Bowls: Swap quinoa for brown rice and add roasted vegetables such as bell peppers and zucchini.
- Spicy Chicken Bowls: Incorporate a dash of cayenne pepper or serve with a spicy sauce for heat.
- Veggie Load: Amp up the nutrition by adding steamed broccoli or kale into the mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What can I substitute for chicken? You can use tofu, chickpeas, or shrimp for other protein options.
- Can I make the tzatziki sauce ahead of time? Yes! Tzatziki can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- How can I make this dish gluten-free? Simply ensure that your quinoa or rice is certified gluten-free and check for gluten-free feta.
- Can I use frozen chicken? Yes, but for best results, thaw the chicken completely before marinating and cooking.
- What’s the best way to reheat leftovers? Microwave in 30-second intervals or warm on the stovetop until heated through.
Conclusion
Greek Chicken Bowls are not only easy to prepare, but they are also packed with flavor and nutrition. They bring the essence of the Mediterranean to your table, and the best part is that they can be customized to fit your dietary needs. So why not gather the ingredients and give this delightful dish a try today? You’re just steps away from a fulfilling meal that tastes as good as it looks! Enjoy the cooking experience, and savor every delicious bite!
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Greek Chicken Bowls
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Healthy
Description
Greek Chicken Bowls feature tender marinated chicken, fresh vegetables, and a creamy tzatziki sauce over quinoa or rice, offering a nutritious and vibrant meal.
Ingredients
- 4 Chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
- 1 Cucumber, diced
- 1 Tomato, diced
- 1 Red onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup Feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives
- 2 cups Cooked quinoa or rice
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
- For tzatziki sauce: 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 Cucumber, grated, 2 cloves Garlic, minced, 2 tablespoons Lemon juice, 1 tablespoon Dill
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken breasts in olive oil, minced garlic, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper for at least 30 minutes.
- Grill or bake the chicken until cooked through, about 6–8 minutes per side if grilling or 20 minutes in a 400°F oven.
- Mix Greek yogurt with grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, and fresh dill to prepare tzatziki sauce.
- Chop fresh vegetables: cucumber, tomato, and red onion.
- Once the chicken cools, slice it and assemble bowls with quinoa or rice, fresh veggies, sliced chicken, feta, and olives.
- Top with tzatziki sauce and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
These bowls can be customized with shrimp or chickpeas for a different protein option. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling, Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
