Description
These simple Greek chicken bowls are a vibrant and flavorful meal packed with marinated chicken, fresh veggies, cooked rice or quinoa, and a creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. Perfect for meal prep, they offer a refreshing balance of textures and Mediterranean-inspired tastes in one easy bowl.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 ¼ pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 ½ teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Bowl
- 2 cups cooked rice or quinoa
- 2 cups halved grape or cherry tomatoes
- 2 cups diced or chopped cucumber
- 4 cups shredded romaine lettuce
- 1 cup sliced red onion
- ½ cup feta cheese
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- ½ cup grated cucumber
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill
Instructions
- Make the marinade: Whisk together olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to create the chicken marinade.
- Marinate the chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to about ½ inch thick and place them in a shallow bowl or ziplock bag with the marinade. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to a few hours to maximize flavor absorption.
- Prepare tzatziki sauce: In a separate bowl, combine the plain Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and fresh chopped dill. Mix well and set aside to let flavors meld.
- Prep the sides: Cook rice or quinoa if not already prepared. Chop and prepare the vegetables—halved tomatoes, diced cucumber, shredded romaine lettuce, and sliced red onion. Feel free to add pitted olives if desired.
- Cook the chicken – Air fryer method: Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Place the marinated chicken inside and cook for 7 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Alternate cooking – Skillet method: If no air fryer is available, heat a skillet with oil or butter over medium-low heat. Fry the chicken on one side for 7-8 minutes, then flip and cook until golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Rest and slice chicken: Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. Then slice the chicken into strips or bite-sized pieces.
- Assemble the bowls: Layer the cooked rice or quinoa, veggies, sliced chicken, and a generous dollop of tzatziki in each bowl. Optionally drizzle olive oil and lemon juice or lemon tahini dressing over the top for extra flavor. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra flavor, cook rice or quinoa in chicken broth and finish with a squeeze of lemon juice, salt, pepper, and fresh chopped parsley and chives.
- A traditional Greek bowl includes olives; feel free to add pitted olives to your bowls if you enjoy them.
- Chicken can be marinated for longer if desired, up to a few hours to deepen the flavor.
- Letting the chicken rest after cooking ensures it stays juicy and tender when sliced.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Greek
