Greek Chicken Bowl

Greek chicken bowls are one of those dinners where the toppings do all the talking. Juicy marinated chicken, cool tzatziki, and salty feta all piled over rice so everyone can build their own bowl, and Mom’s only making one dinner.

 

Why We Love Greek Chicken Bowl

• Even Picky Eaters Win – Greek food has a way of winning people over, even the ones who claim they don’t like anything. Kids can keep it simple while adventurous eaters pile on the olives and feta, and there’s always something for everyone at the table.
• Great For Lunch The Next Day – The ingredients store separately so everything stays fresh, and leftovers are just as good cold as they are warm. Pack it for lunch, throw it over salad greens, or stuff it into a pita for a whole new meal.
• Save Money On Takeout – A Greek chicken bowl at home costs a fraction of what you’d spend going out, and you can feed the whole family with one batch of ingredients.

Ingredients For Greek Chicken Bowl

• chicken breasts – can also use chicken thighs or chicken tenders, but use boneless
• lemon juice – fresh or bottled also works
• olive oil
• Greek seasoning – my favorite is Greek Freak
• garlic powder
• salt
• black pepper
• rice – use whatever steamed rice you have, white or brown both work. I like jasmine or basmati
• cherry tomatoes – You can also sliced roma tomatoes, but bigger tomatoes get a little more watery
• cucumber – You can take the peel off first or leave it
• kalamata olives – my favorite for greek food, but use your favorite olives
• red onion – sweet onions are also great for picky eaters as they are milder
• feta cheese
• tzatziki sauce – see the notes for my garlic yogurt sauce you can use instead if you prefer
• parsley – optional, but adds freshness

How To Make Greek Chicken Bowls

Prepping The Chicken

1. In a large bowl or gallon-sized zip top bag, add cubed chicken, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Toss until everything is coated. Let the chicken sit in the marinade in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Dice and prep other toppings while the chicken marinates.

Prepping The Bowl Ingredients

1. Heat or cook the rice according to the package directions.
2. Dice and slice other toppings such as cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives and red onion while the chicken marinates.

Cooking The Chicken

1. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and spray lightly with pan spray. Add the marinated chicken in a single layer to the pan. Cook over medium-high heat flipping and stirring occasionally for 9-10 minutes. The chicken is done when it is no longer pink in the center. The chicken will reach 165 degrees when measured with a meat thermometer.

Serving The Greek Chicken Bowls

1. Serve family style and let everyone add their own toppings or layer the bowls. Start with a scoop of warm rice. Add chicken, then add tomatoes, cucumber, olives, red onion, feta and a dollop of tzatziki. Sprinkle fresh parsley if desired, then enjoy!

Greek Chicken Bowls Variation Ideas

Add Bell Pepper – Try diced bell pepper (we like the red, orange or yellow peppers in this bowl) or roasted red peppers.

Swap The Onion – Red onion has great flavor, but a sweet onion or a shallot may have less bite if you have pickier eaters. Yellow onions or white onions can also be used.

Dice Zucchini (Or Yellow Squash) – This can be just diced up and added to the bowl.

Swap The Meat – Boneless chicken thighs or chicken tenders can be swapped into this recipe. You could also use thin slices of steak or even pork tenderloin marinated and cut into thin slices.

Add Some Hummus – A big dollop of hummus and a few triangles of pita bread are also a great addition to any Greek chicken bowl.

Can I Meal Prep Greek Chicken Bowls?

Yes! Cook the chicken and rice ahead of time and store everything separately in airtight containers. Toppings stay fresh for 3 days in the fridge, and you’ve got easy lunches or dinners ready to go.

Can I Grill The Chicken Instead?

Absolutely! I suggest leaving the chicken in full pieces when you marinate it. Then grill the chicken over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes per side until it reaches 165 degrees internally. Let rest for 2-3 minutes, then dice up for on top of the bowls.

How Long Will Greek Chicken Bowls Last?

These greek chicken bowls will last for about three days before the chicken is no longer safe to enjoy. I prefer storing leftover ingredients in their own covered airtight bowls, as only the rice and chicken should be warmed in the microwave when eating the leftovers. The toppings also then stay fresher. Leftovers can be also tossed over salad greens or made into greek chicken wraps.