Description
Greek Chicken Souvlaki Bowls are vibrant and flavorful Mediterranean-inspired meals featuring juicy lemon-herb marinated chicken cooked to perfection on the stovetop, served over fluffy rice with fresh cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, and a creamy homemade tzatziki sauce. Ideal for easy weeknight dinners or meal prepping, these bowls offer a delightful balance of protein, freshness, and wholesome ingredients in every bite.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
For the Bowls:
- 3 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup Kalamata olives
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh dill, chopped
For the Tzatziki:
- ¾ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cucumber, finely grated and squeezed dry
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken pieces and toss well to evenly coat. Let the chicken marinate for at least 20 minutes to absorb all the vibrant flavors.
- Prepare the Tzatziki: While the chicken marinates, mix Greek yogurt, grated and drained cucumber, lemon juice, fresh dill, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Stir until smooth and refrigerate until ready to serve, allowing flavors to meld.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook, turning occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes until the chicken is browned on the outside and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C), ensuring it is fully cooked but juicy.
- Assemble the Bowls: Divide the cooked rice evenly among four bowls. Top with diced cucumber, cherry tomatoes, sliced red onion, Kalamata olives, crumbled feta, chopped parsley, and fresh dill to create layers of texture and fresh flavor.
- Add Chicken and Tzatziki: Place the cooked souvlaki chicken on top of the bowls and spoon a generous amount of the chilled tzatziki sauce over. Optionally, serve with lemon wedges and warm pita bread for enjoying alongside.
Notes
- Chicken thighs can be substituted for breasts for juicier meat.
- For meal prepping, store tzatziki and fresh vegetables separately to maintain freshness until serving.
- Enhance your bowl by adding hummus, roasted chickpeas, or grilled vegetables for extra heartiness.
- Use cauliflower rice as a low-carb alternative to traditional rice.
- Marinating the chicken for up to 8 hours allows deeper flavor penetration.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course, Dinner, Bowls, Meal Prep
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Greek, Mediterranean
