Dump and Bake Chicken Tzatziki (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Protein and Marinade

01 - 450 g boneless, skinless chicken breast or chicken thighs, diced into bite-size pieces
02 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
03 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
04 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or 0.5 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
05 - 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano or 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
06 - 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or 0.25 teaspoon dried thyme
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - 0.75 teaspoon seasoned salt
09 - 0.5 teaspoon ground cumin
10 - 0.5 teaspoon onion powder
11 - 0.5 teaspoon garlic powder
12 - 0.25 teaspoon ground black pepper
13 - 0.25 teaspoon ground turmeric
14 - 0.125 teaspoon cayenne pepper

→ Grains and Vegetables

15 - 200 g uncooked long grain white rice
16 - 1 medium zucchini, coarsely grated (approximately 150 g grated)
17 - 480 ml chicken broth

→ Garnishes and Accompaniments

18 - Tzatziki sauce, to serve
19 - Pita bread, to serve
20 - Chopped fresh herbs such as dill, basil, parsley, or chives, to serve
21 - Fresh lemon wedges, to serve

# Instructions:

01 - Lightly grease a 33 x 23 cm baking dish with oil or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
02 - Combine diced chicken with lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, oregano, thyme, smoked paprika, seasoned salt, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, turmeric, and cayenne in the prepared dish. Toss thoroughly to coat the chicken and let it marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes while preheating the oven.
03 - Preheat the oven to 190°C.
04 - Add uncooked rice, grated zucchini, and chicken broth to the marinated chicken in the baking dish. Mix well to ensure even distribution.
05 - Cover the baking dish tightly and bake for 40 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. If the rice is still firm, cover and bake an additional 5-10 minutes as needed.
06 - Stir and fluff the rice with a fork, tasting and adjusting seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary. Serve hot, garnished with tzatziki sauce, chopped fresh herbs, lemon wedges, and pita bread.

# Notes:

01 - If using a glass or ceramic baking dish, expect a slightly longer cooking time compared to a metal pan.
02 - For best flavor, allow the chicken to marinate fully before baking.