While a trip to Greece might not always be in the cards, you can still bring the flavors of this beautiful region into your kitchen with a simple, healthy, and absolutely delicious Greek chicken bowl. They’re easy to make, packed with flavor, and customizable too!
This dish the perfect way to bring the vibrant, fresh flavors of the Mediterranean into your home with tender marinated chicken, crisp vegetables, and a variety of grains to choose from. And it’s not only a treat for your taste buds but also a feast for the eyes, with vibrant colors and textures that make it as appealing to look at as it is to eat.
Whether you’re meal-prepping for the week or just looking for a quick and satisfying lunch or dinner, these Greek chicken bowls are the answer. Hit the “jump to recipe” button to get started, or scroll through for some extra tips and tricks.
Choosing A Grain For Your Greek Chicken Bowl: A World of Options
While couscous is the grain of choice in this recipe, you have plenty of options to customize this recipe if you’re looking to switch things up:
- Quinoa: For a slightly nutty flavor and a boost of protein, quinoa is an excellent alternative. It’s also gluten-free, making it a great option for those with dietary restrictions. Quinoa’s fluffy texture pairs beautifully with the creamy tzatziki and juicy chicken.
- Brown Rice: If you prefer something more substantial, brown rice is a fantastic option. It adds a hearty, chewy texture to the bowl and complements the Mediterranean flavors well. Brown rice also brings a mild, slightly earthy flavor that’s delicious with the bright, tangy notes of the dish.
- Farro: For a more traditional Mediterranean touch, consider using farro. This ancient grain has a chewy texture and nutty flavor that adds depth to the bowl. It’s also packed with fiber and nutrients, making it a healthy choice.
- Bulgur: Bulgur is another great option that’s often used in Middle Eastern dishes like tabbouleh. It’s quick-cooking, with a slightly chewy texture and a mild taste that allows the flavors of the chicken and tzatziki to shine.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a list of ingredients you’ll need to gather at your local grocery store to make this Greek chicken bowl recipe.
Chicken Marinade:
- full-fat Greek-style yogurt
- extra virgin olive oil
- dried oregano
- freshly grated garlic (1-2 cloves)
- sea salt
- black pepper
- boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Cucumber-Yogurt Salad:
- full-fat Greek-style yogurt
- large English cucumber
- freshly grated garlic (1 clove)
- minced fresh mint leaves
- sea salt
For Assembling The Greek Chicken Bowl:
- dried couscous
- cherry tomatoes
- shallot
- feta cheese
- lemon
- Fresh herbs for garnish (optional): mint, parsley, cilantro
How To Make Greek Chicken Bowls
After gathering together the ingredients, this Greek chicken bowl recipe comes together pretty quickly. Here are the steps:
1. Marinate the Chicken:
In a large bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt, olive oil, oregano, 1 teaspoon of freshly grated garlic, salt, and black pepper. Add the chicken breasts to the bowl, ensuring they are fully coated in the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15-30 minutes.
2. Prepare the Cucumber-Yogurt Salad:
The cucumber-yogurt salad is like a faster version of tzatziki, but with a bonus crunch from the sliced cucumber and a fresh kick from the mint. Prep this salad while the chicken is marinating. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the remaining teaspoon of grated garlic with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add the cucumber, remaining 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, and minced mint leaves. Stir everything together until well mixed, then refrigerate until you’re ready to assemble the bowls.
3. Cook the Couscous:
Prepare the couscous according to the package instructions. Typically, this involves bringing water or broth to a boil, adding the couscous, then removing it from heat and letting it steam for a few minutes. Fluff the couscous with a fork before serving. Couscous is a fantastic choice for Greek Chicken Bowls because it soaks up the flavors of the other ingredients, adding a light, slightly nutty base to the dish.
4. Cook the Chicken:
Heat a skillet or outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Cook the marinated chicken breasts for 6-8 minutes on each side or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. Once cooked, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before slicing it into thin strips.
5. Assemble the Bowls
In each bowl, start with a base of couscous. Top with the sliced grilled chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, sliced shallot, and crumbled feta cheese. Add a generous dollop of cucumber yogurt salad on top and garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Serve each bowl with a lemon wedge for a burst of citrusy brightness.
Greek Chicken Bowl Recipe Tips + Tricks
- The cucumber-yogurt salad is like a faster version of tzatziki, but with a bonus crunch from the sliced cucumber and a fresh kick from the mint.
- There’s enough fat in the chicken marinade that you don’t need to add more to the pan.
- If your chicken breasts are very thick, you may wish to slice them in half before marinating and cooking.
- The chicken breasts can be prepared in the Air Fryer as well: preheat to 375, then cook the chicken on one side for 7 minutes before flipping and cooking a further 3-4 minutes on the second side until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- This is a great option for weekly meal prep, and also a good way to use up veggies sitting in the fridge.
Other ideas for toppings: olives, capers, pickled red onion, chickpeas, avocado, shredded lettuce, shredded cabbage and carrots (or coleslaw mix)
Greek Chicken Bowls
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup full-fat Greek-style yogurt, divided
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated garlic, divided (2-3 cloves)
- 3/4 teaspoon table salt, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 large English cucumber, peeled, halved, and cut into half-moons
- 2 tablespoons minced fresh mint leaves
- 1 1/2 cups dried couscous
- 1 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
- ¼ cup sliced shallot
- 2 ounces crumbled feta cheese
- 1 lemon, sliced into wedges
- Fresh herbs for garnish (optional): mint, parsley, cilantro
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup Greek yogurt with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, half of the grated garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper. Add the chicken breasts to the bowl and coat in the yogurt marinade. Set aside to marinate for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, prepare the cucumber-yogurt salad: in a medium mixing bowl, combine the remaining teaspoon of grated garlic with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add the cucumber, remaining 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, and minced mint leaves. Toss well and set aside.
- Pre-heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated chicken and cook for 5-6 minutes per side, until blackened and cooked through. Rest for 5 minutes before cutting against the grain into slices.
- Meanwhile, prepare the couscous (or grain of choice) according to package directions.
- Build each bowl by starting with a couscous base and topping with cucumber-yogurt salad, sliced chicken, cherry tomato halves, and sliced shallot. Garnish with feta cheese and fresh herbs as desired. Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing.
Notes
- The cucumber-yogurt salad is like a faster version of tzatziki, but with a bonus crunch from the sliced cucumber and a fresh kick from the mint.
- There’s enough fat in the chicken marinade that you don’t need to add more to the pan.
- If your chicken breasts are very thick, you may wish to slice them in half before marinating and cooking.
- The chicken breasts can be prepared in the Air Fryer as well: preheat to 375, then cook the chicken on one side for 7 minutes before flipping and cooking a further 3-4 minutes on the second side until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- This is a great option for weekly meal prep, and also a good way to use up veggies sitting in the fridge.
- Other ideas for toppings: olives, capers, pickled red onion, chickpeas, avocado, shredded lettuce, shredded cabbage and carrots (or coleslaw mix)
Palace on Wheels says
What a delicious and healthy recipe! I love how the flavors come together in these Greek chicken bowls. They remind me of my travels, especially my experience on the Palace on Wheels, where I enjoyed exquisite meals inspired by different cultures. This dish would be perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a meal prep option. I can’t wait to try it out!