Name: Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: 1 cup long-grain white rice; 1 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into bite-sized pieces); 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; ½ teaspoon paprika; 1 cup tzatziki sauce (store-bought or homemade); 1 medium cucumber, thinly sliced (for garnish, optional); ½ cup crumbled feta cheese; ½ cup chopped fresh parsley or dill (for garnish)

Jump to Recipe· 4.9 from 18 reviews

If you’re craving a hearty meal that feels like a hug from the Mediterranean, look no further than this Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole. It’s a celebration of tender chicken, fragrant herbs, creamy tzatziki sauce, and fluffy rice—all effortlessly combined in one dish. Whether you’re hustling through a busy weeknight or hosting friends for a laid-back dinner, you’ll love how this casserole delivers vibrant flavor with absolutely minimal fuss. Trust me: Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole is destined to become a fast favorite at your table.

Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I adore about this recipe is how each ingredient truly shines—nothing is extra, and every component brings something wonderful, whether that’s a burst of flavor, a pop of color, or luscious texture. Here’s the cast of characters that makes our Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole so irresistible:

Long-grain white rice: The perfect base that cooks up tender and soaks up all those Mediterranean flavors.
Low-sodium chicken broth: Adds rich, savory depth and ensures your rice is anything but bland.
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Bite-sized pieces that cook up juicy and pair beautifully with the tzatziki sauce.
Garlic powder: Gives a subtle, fragrant kick without overpowering the dish.
Onion powder: Lends mellow sweetness and savory undertones to balance the casserole.
Dried oregano: Brings that classic, earthy Mediterranean aroma we all love.
Paprika: For a gentle warmth and a touch of gorgeous color.
Tzatziki sauce (store-bought or homemade): The star of the show—creamy, tangy, and refreshingly herby.
Medium cucumber (optional, for garnish): Thin slices add freshness and crunch at the end.
Crumbled feta cheese: A briny, creamy finish that melts slightly into the hot casserole.
Chopped fresh parsley or dill: For bursts of green color and that signature herbal finish.

How to Make Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

This is where you set yourself up for success. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it heats up, lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish—this means easy cleanup and no sticking when you’re serving up big hearty scoops later.

Step 2: Assemble the Base

Spread your uncooked long-grain rice evenly across the bottom of the baking dish, then pour in the chicken broth. This combo will cook together and form a wonderfully fluffy, flavor-infused bed for our chicken and tzatziki topping.

Step 3: Add the Chicken

Scatter your bite-sized chicken pieces directly over the rice, keeping it simple. Sprinkle over the garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, and paprika. This layering means the chicken will season the rice while everything bakes, giving you double the flavor payoff.

Step 4: Top with Tzatziki Sauce

Spoon the creamy tzatziki sauce right over the chicken, using the back of a spoon to spread it gently. You want every piece of chicken well-coated. This luscious sauce keeps the casserole moist and soaks right into the rice for tangy, herby goodness in every bite.

Step 5: Bake

Cover your dish tightly with aluminum foil. Pop it into the oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, letting the chicken cook through and the rice become gorgeously tender. If you see any extra liquid at the end, just uncover and bake for another 5 to 10 minutes to let it absorb.

Step 6: Finish with Garnishes

Once it’s done, let your Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole sit for five minutes—this gives the flavors time to meld. Then, top generously with crumbled feta, fresh herbs, and those refreshing cucumber slices. This final flourish makes every portion a Mediterranean masterpiece.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Scoop onto plates while still warm and take a second to breathe in all that herby, creamy, chicken-y aroma. Every bite is a reminder that delicious, homemade comfort food doesn’t have to be complicated.

How to Serve Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole

Garnishes

For me, the final garnishes make this dish sing. Shower the top with plenty of fresh parsley or dill and crumble on some creamy feta. Don’t skip those cold cucumber slices—they add a snap of crunch and keep every bite feeling light and fresh. You can also add a dash of extra oregano or a sprinkle of smoked paprika if you want to amp up the appearance before serving.

Side Dishes

While the Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole is hearty on its own, you can round out your meal with fluffy pita bread, a zesty Greek salad, or roasted lemony potatoes. For something a little lighter, serve alongside a pile of greens tossed in olive oil and lemon, or some marinated olives for extra Mediterranean flair.

Creative Ways to Present

Have fun serving this! Spoon it into individual ramekins for a dinner party, or pile it family-style into a big, colorful serving dish. For an easy lunch prep, pack single portions into meal-prep containers with extra cucumber and tomato on the side. If you’re entertaining, sprinkle pomegranate seeds or extra chopped herbs on top for a burst of jewel-like color.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Allow any leftovers to cool, then transfer to an airtight container. This casserole keeps well in the fridge for up to three days. The flavors deepen as it sits, making leftovers especially delicious for an easy lunch or quick second dinner.

Freezing

Yes, you can freeze Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole! Divide cooled portions into freezer-safe containers. It keeps well for up to two months. Just be aware that cucumbers used as garnish may lose some crunch, so add those fresh after reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, simply pop individual portions into the microwave or reheat the whole dish in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through. If things look a little dry, drizzle over a bit of extra tzatziki or a splash of broth before reheating to bring everything back to creamy perfection.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white?

Absolutely, but brown rice takes longer to cook. Add about 20 extra minutes to your baking time, and check to ensure the rice is tender before serving. You might need a splash more broth to keep everything moist.

Is it possible to use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes! Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are juicy and flavorful—just cut them into bite-sized pieces as you would with breasts, and follow the instructions. They work beautifully with the creamy tang of the tzatziki.

What’s the best way to make homemade tzatziki?

All you need is Greek yogurt, grated cucumber (squeeze out the excess water), garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together to taste—it’s fresh, easy, and so much better than anything store-bought!

Can I assemble Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole ahead of time?

Definitely! Assemble the entire casserole (everything up to the baking step) and store it in the fridge, covered, for up to a day ahead. When you’re ready, just slide it into the oven and bake as directed, allowing a few extra minutes since it’ll be cold.

What if I want a vegetarian version?

Swap the chicken for a can of drained chickpeas or cubes of firm tofu, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. You’ll still capture all the fresh, vibrant flavors of the original Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole!

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for that one meal that comforts, nourishes, and impresses without keeping you in the kitchen all night, the Dump-and-Bake Chicken Tzatziki Casserole really is the answer. Give it a try—you might just find yourself making it week after week!