Flavorful Greek Chicken Bowls Recipe for a Sunny Feast

Crispy, herbed chicken nestled in a vibrant mediterranean-inspired chicken bowl promises a culinary adventure.

Fragrant oregano and zesty lemon dance across tender meat and colorful vegetables.

Mediterranean flavors burst through each carefully crafted bite.

Layers of fresh ingredients create a wholesome meal that feels both comforting and exciting.

Simple, quick preparations mean you can whip up this delightful dish in minutes.

Colorful ingredients combine to deliver a nutritious plate packed with authentic greek charm.

Savor each mouthful and let your taste buds travel to the sunny Greek islands.

How to Assemble Your Greek Chicken Bowl

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Minced garlic
• Dried oregano
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Paprika

Thoroughly coat chicken in the marinade and let it soak for 30 minutes or refrigerate up to 8 hours for deeper flavor.

Step 2: Prepare the Tzatziki Sauce

• Greek yogurt
• Grated cucumber
• Lemon juice
• Minced garlic
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Fresh dill

Refrigerate until serving time to let flavors meld together.

Step 3: Cook the Chicken

Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 5-6 minutes on each side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F/75°C. Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes, then slice into strips.

Step 4: Assemble the Bowls

• Cooked rice or quinoa as the base
• Sliced marinated chicken
• Diced tomatoes
• Chopped cucumber
• Sliced red onion
• Kalamata olives
• Crumbled feta cheese

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Drizzle tzatziki sauce over the bowl and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley. Enjoy your Mediterranean-inspired feast!

Tips to Make a Flavorful and Bowl

• Maximize Marinade Magic: Let chicken soak in lemony herbs for at least 30 minutes to absorb maximum flavor and tenderize the meat.
• Quick Protein Swap: Replace chicken with tofu or chickpeas for a vegetarian version without losing the Mediterranean taste profile.
• Perfect Doneness Trick: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches 165F/75C, guaranteeing juicy, safely cooked protein every time.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Marinate chicken and prepare tzatziki sauce the night before to streamline dinner assembly and boost weekend meal planning.
• Customize Crunch Factor: Add extra texture by toasting pine nuts or sprinkle crispy chickpeas on top for a delightful alternative to traditional garnishes.

Store and Reheat Greek Chicken Bowls Properly

• Store leftover chicken and tzatziki sauce separately in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Warm sliced chicken in microwave for 30-45 seconds, adding a splash of water to prevent drying. Alternatively, reheat in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes.
• Keep tzatziki sauce chilled. Stir before serving, as separation might occur. Consume within 3 days for best flavor and texture.
• When ready to eat, quickly reassemble bowl with fresh vegetables. Avoid reheating entire prepared bowl to maintain crisp vegetable textures.

Tasty Additions to Serve With Greek Bowls

• Select a zesty Assyrtiko or Sauvignon Blanc that complements the bright lemon and herb flavors of the Greek chicken, cutting through the richness of feta and tzatziki.
• Craft a homemade mint-infused lemonade that echoes the Mediterranean herbs, providing a cooling contrast to the grilled chicken's warmth and adding a vibrant, refreshing touch.
• Create a classic horiatiki salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and olives to mirror the bowl's ingredients, enhancing the overall Greek culinary experience with complementary textures and flavors.
• Mix a light ouzo cocktail with sparkling water and a lemon twist, offering an authentic Greek aperitif that highlights the dish's herbal and citrus notes while providing a traditional dining experience.

Variations for Customizing Greek Chicken Bowls

• Vegetarian Greek Bowl: Replace chicken with grilled tofu or tempeh, marinated in the same Greek-style seasonings for a plant-based protein option.
• Low-Carb Greek Cauliflower Bowl: Swap rice or quinoa with cauliflower rice, keeping all other ingredients and flavors consistent for a lower-carbohydrate meal.
• Mediterranean Lamb Bowl: Substitute chicken with grilled lamb strips, using the same marinade and maintaining the traditional Greek ingredient profile.
• Gluten-Free Greek Zucchini Noodle Bowl: Replace grains with spiralized zucchini noodles, ensuring all other components remain unchanged for a gluten-free alternative.

Greek Chicken Bowls: Q&A

• How long should I marinate the chicken?

Marinate the chicken for at least 30 minutes and up to 8 hours in the refrigerator for maximum flavor absorption.

• Can I use chicken breasts or should I use thighs?

Both chicken breasts and thighs work well for this recipe. Choose boneless, skinless cuts for best results.

• Is it necessary to use a grill pan?

A regular skillet works perfectly fine if you don’t have a grill pan. The key is to cook the chicken over medium-high heat until golden and fully cooked.

• What if I don't have fresh dill for the tzatziki?

You can substitute dried dill or skip it altogether. The tzatziki will still taste delicious with the other ingredients like garlic, cucumber, and yogurt.

What to Love About Greek Chicken Bowls

• Infuse chicken with zesty lemon, garlic, and oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired taste explosion that transforms simple ingredients into an exciting dinner.
• Easily adapt the recipe by swapping proteins, changing grains, or adjusting toppings to suit different dietary preferences and keep everyone happy at the dinner table.
• Packed with lean protein from chicken, probiotics from Greek yogurt, and fresh vegetables, this bowl delivers a balanced, nutrient-rich meal that tastes amazing and supports wellness.

Ingredients for Building a Greek Chicken Bowl

• Chicken Breast: Lean protein that absorbs marinade flavors, boneless and skinless recommended for best results.
• Feta Cheese: Classic Greek cheese with tangy flavor, crumbled for easy distribution.

• Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Garlic, Oregano, Salt, Black Pepper, Paprika: Combined to create a zesty and aromatic marinade that tenderizes and adds depth to chicken.

• Greek Yogurt, Cucumber, Dill, Lemon Juice, Olive Oil, Garlic, Salt: Fresh ingredients creating a cool and creamy tzatziki sauce with bright Mediterranean flavors.

• Tomatoes, Cucumber, Red Onion, Olives: Crisp vegetables that add color, texture, and fresh taste to the bowl.

• Rice, Quinoa: Versatile base grains that provide substantial and nutritious foundation for the chicken bowl.

• Fresh Parsley: Adds a pop of color and fresh herbal note to finish the dish.

Greek Chicken Bowls Recipe

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4.8 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savor Mediterranean magic with these Greek Chicken Bowls, where zesty marinated chicken meets a colorful medley of fresh ingredients. Crisp veggies, tangy tzatziki, and herb-infused rice combine to transport you straight to the sun-drenched shores of Greece.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)

Seasonings and Flavoring Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon paprika

Bowl Components and Toppings:

• 2 cups cooked rice or quinoa
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup cucumber, diced
• ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
• ½ cup kalamata olives, halved
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

Tzatziki Sauce:

• 1 cup Greek yogurt
• ½ cup cucumber, grated and squeezed dry
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon fresh dill or parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Whisk together marinade ingredients in a spacious container, creating a fragrant herb-infused liquid that will tenderize and flavor the chicken.
2. Immerse chicken pieces completely in the marinade, ensuring each surface is coated. Refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to allow flavors to penetrate deeply.
3. Preheat a grill pan or skillet to medium-high heat, allowing it to become thoroughly hot before cooking.
4. Transfer marinated chicken to the heated surface, cooking each side until a golden-brown crust forms and internal temperature reaches 165F/75C, approximately 5-6 minutes per side.
5. Remove chicken from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and ensuring maximum tenderness.
6. While chicken rests, prepare tzatziki by combining Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and dill in a mixing bowl.
7. Slice the rested chicken into elegant, bite-sized strips.
8. Assemble bowls by creating a base layer of rice or quinoa.
9. Arrange sliced chicken atop the grains, then artfully distribute tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, olives, and crumbled feta around the protein.
10. Generously drizzle tzatziki sauce over the bowl and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a burst of color and freshness.

Notes

• Marinate chicken longer for deeper flavor infusion, allowing the herbs and citrus to tenderize and enhance the meat’s taste.
• Swap chicken for tofu or chickpeas to create a vegetarian-friendly version that maintains the Mediterranean-inspired profile.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure precise doneness, preventing overcooking while guaranteeing food safety and juicy texture.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time for quick assembly, making this a perfect meal for busy weeknights or meal prepping.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: Greek

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 590
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 62 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 36 g
• Cholesterol: 105 mg