Description
Your Shopping List for a Mediterranean Feast. Fresh, vibrant ingredients come together in a zesty lemon-oregano marinade, herbed rice, and cool, creamy tzatziki. A complete, weeknight-friendly plate with sunshine in every bite.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Zesty Chicken Marinade
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lb total (swap thighs for juicier result))
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 2 tsp dried oregano (earthy and aromatic)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper (freshly ground)
Herbed Rice
- 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice (swap brown rice or quinoa if desired)
- 3 cups chicken broth (low-sodium preferred; or vegetable broth/water)
- 2 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 Tbsp butter or olive oil (for toasting rice)
Creamy Tzatziki
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (full-fat for best texture)
- 1/2 cucumber, grated & squeezed dry
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped (signature tzatziki herb)
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- salt (to taste)
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, salt, and pepper. Coat chicken in a shallow dish or zip bag and marinate at least 30 minutes (up to 4 hours). Do not exceed 4 hours or the lemon can affect texture.
- Make tzatziki: Grate cucumber and squeeze out excess liquid with a towel. Stir together yogurt, cucumber, lemon juice, dill, and garlic; season with salt. Chill until serving to let flavors meld.
- Cook herbed rice: In a saucepan, warm butter/oil over medium heat. Toast rice 1 minute until fragrant. Add broth, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer 15–20 minutes until liquid absorbs. Rest off heat 5 minutes, fluff, and fold in parsley & dill.
- Grill chicken: Preheat grill (or grill pan) to medium-high and oil grates. Grill chicken 6–8 minutes per side, until opaque and an instant-read thermometer reads 165°F (74°C). Rest 5 minutes, then slice.
- Serve: Plate herbed rice, top with grilled chicken, and add generous spoonfuls of tzatziki. Garnish with extra herbs and lemon wedges if desired.
Notes
Timing tip: This full meal finishes in about 75 minutes including a 30-minute marinate. For meal prep, marinate the chicken in the morning and chill; grill at dinnertime. Indoor option: use a grill pan or broiler.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Greek-inspired, Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Calories: 575
- Sodium: 800
- Fat: 20
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 45
