Ingredients
Chicken Marinade
- 1 1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Base and Vegetables
- 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
- 1/2 cup feta cheese
Tzatziki Sauce
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup grated cucumber
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped dill
Instructions
- Whisk Marinade: In a bowl, thoroughly 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 flavorful chicken marinade.
- Pound Chicken: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 1/2 inch for uniform cooking. Place the chicken in a shallow bowl or a ziplock bag and pour the marinade over, ensuring each piece is well coated.
- Marinate: Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes, up to several hours if time permits, to absorb the flavors deeply.
- Make Tzatziki Sauce: While the chicken marinates, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and fresh chopped dill in a bowl. Mix well and refrigerate to let the flavors meld.
- Prep Rice and Veggies: Cook the rice or quinoa if not already prepared. Prepare the vegetables by halving the grape or cherry tomatoes, dicing the cucumber, shredding romaine lettuce, and slicing red onion. You can also add olives if desired.
- Cook Chicken (Air Fryer): Preheat the air fryer to 380°F. Place the marinated chicken breasts in the basket. Cook for 7 minutes on one side, flip, and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Cook Chicken (Skillet Alternative): If no air fryer is available, heat a skillet with oil or butter over medium-low heat. Fry the chicken for 7-8 minutes on one side until golden brown, then flip and cook the other side until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Rest Chicken: Remove the chicken from heat and let it rest for 5 minutes. This helps retain the juices. After resting, slice the chicken into strips.
- Assemble Bowls: Layer cooked rice or quinoa at the base of each bowl, then add the fresh vegetables, sliced chicken, and a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice for extra brightness. Optionally, add a lemon tahini dressing for enhanced flavor. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Marinate chicken longer for more intense flavor, up to 4 hours.
- Cook rice or quinoa in advance to save time during assembly.
- Feel free to add pitted olives to the bowls for a more traditional Greek flavor.
- Use fresh herbs like dill and oregano for the best taste.
- Maintain internal chicken temperature at 165°F for food safety.
- Leftover tzatziki can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Greek
- Diet: Halal
