Grilled Chicken Souvlaki Rice Bowl
Ingredients
- 3 cups Mahatma® Basmati Rice
- 3 lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp garlic, minced
- 1 tsp chili flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups cucumber, chopped
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 2/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/3 cup pitted kalamata olives
- 3/4 cup tzatziki sauce
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
Inspired by traditional Greek street food, this chicken souvlaki rice bowl is made with fresh vegetables and marinated and grilled chicken thighs all served over Mahatma® Basmati Rice with a delicious tzatziki sauce.
Step 1
In resealable freezer bag, combine chicken, olive oil, dill, lemon zest, garlic, chili flakes, salt and pepper; mix well. Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.
Step 2
Prepare rice according to package directions. Set aside.
Step 3
Preheat grill to medium-high. Remove chicken from marinade; grill for 5 to 7 minutes per side or until chicken is cooked through and instant-read thermometer inserted in center reads 165°F.
Step 4
Serve chicken over bed of rice; top with cucumber, tomatoes, cheese and olives. Drizzle with tzatziki and sprinkle with parsley.
Recipe Tip
Substitute chicken breasts for thighs if desired.
Greek Flavors
With its Mediterranean climate, Greek soil is perfect for growing juicy and fresh fruits and veggies—adding a colorful touch to its cuisine. There are many ingredients that are traditional to Greek food and other Mediterranean-inspired meals such as tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, olives, honey, garlic, yogurt and much more!
Souvlaki, a popular Greek street food, is loaded with fresh coastal ingredients. Made with skewered and grilled pork, chicken or lamb, everything is wrapped in warm and fluffy pita bread all topped with cucumbers, tomatoes and a creamy tzatziki sauce.
This recipe is a deconstructed Souvlaki made into a delicious rice bowl that you can enjoy for lunch or dinner. The pita bread wrap is replaced with a fragrant bed of Mahatma® Basmati Rice topped with grilled chicken marinated in olive oil, lemon zest and chili flakes to get that authentic and bold Greek flavor. We suggest leaving the meat to marinade for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours, the longer you leave the chicken in the marinade, the more the chicken will absorb those tastes. While the classic recipe is made with meat skewered onto kabobs, feel free to grill the chicken thighs on their own.
Homemade Tzatziki Sauce
While tzatziki sauce can conveniently be bought at your local grocery store, it’s also very easy and simple to make at home. All you need is Greek yogurt, cucumber, olive oil, mint or dill, garlic, lemon and some salt. The main trick to achieving a thick, creamy and delicious tzatziki sauce is shredding the cucumber and completely draining any excess water. Then, add it to your yogurt, along with the other ingredients and mix thoroughly. Adjust seasonings according to your taste preference and store it in your fridge in an airtight container to enjoy it whenever you want.
Save any extra sauce for meals later on like this Jasmine Rice Greek Power Bowl filled with tasty flavors.
With Mahatma® Rice you can explore all kinds of meals from a variety of different cuisines along with havin your queries answered such as jasmine vs basmati rice, which is best? Start with something Mediterranean all the way to a simple Mexican Rice recipe, afterwards why not try something Thai with this coconut milk rice recipe.
