Description
This Juicy Pulled Chicken and Rice Bowl with Tzatziki is a Mediterranean-inspired comfort dish that combines tender, spiced pulled chicken over fluffy basmati rice, topped with a cool and creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. It’s flavorful, satisfying, and comes together in under an hour — perfect for meal prep or weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for extra juiciness)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 3 1/2 cups water or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon butter or olive oil
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cucumber, grated and drained
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
- Pickled red onions, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Sear both sides until golden, then add 1/2 cup broth, cover, and simmer for 15–20 minutes until tender. Shred with two forks and toss in pan juices.
- Prepare the Rice: Rinse rice until water runs clear. In a pot, bring water or broth to a boil, add butter and salt, then rice. Cover and cook for 12–15 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- Make the Tzatziki: Combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, dill, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Stir well and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
- Assemble the Bowl: Spoon rice into a bowl, top with juicy pulled chicken, and finish with a dollop of tzatziki sauce. Garnish with pickled red onions and fresh herbs.
- Serve: Add a squeeze of lemon or lime before serving for brightness.
Notes
For extra flavor, drizzle olive oil and sprinkle smoked paprika over the finished bowl. Store components separately for freshness. Tzatziki keeps for 3 days refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl (1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 85mg