why make this recipe
This bowl is simple, high in protein, and full of fresh Mediterranean flavors. It works well for a quick dinner or for meal prep. The lemon and dill keep the chicken bright and the tzatziki adds a cool, creamy touch.
introduction
These High Protein Mediterranean Lemon-Dill Chicken Bowls are easy to make and hold up well for lunches all week. You can marinate the chicken ahead and cook rice and veggies once for several meals. If you like a different high-protein twist, try the High Protein Buffalo Chicken Flatbread for another easy meal.
how to make High Protein Mediterranean Lemon-Dill Chicken Bowls (Easy & Meal Prep Friendly)
Marinate the chicken, cook it until golden, cook rice, chop the veggies, and mix the tzatziki. Then build bowls with warm rice, greens, veggies, chicken, feta, and a spoonful of sauce. You can prep parts ahead and assemble when ready to eat.
Ingredients :
1¼ lb chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
⅓ cup olive oil
1½ tbsp lemon zest
3 tbsp lemon juice
2½ tbsp honey
1 tsp garlic powder
1½ tsp oregano
1½ tsp basil
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
½ tsp red pepper flakes
2 cups basmati rice
2 cups diced tomatoes
2 cups chopped cucumber
4 cups chopped lettuce
1 cup thinly sliced red onion
1 cup crumbled feta
¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
1 cup Greek yogurt (Fage preferred)
½ cup grated cucumber, squeezed dry
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp minced garlic
¼ tsp salt
1 tbsp finely chopped dill
Directions :
- In a bowl or zip-top bag, mix olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, garlic powder, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Add chicken cubes to the marinade and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high. Cook chicken in batches for 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Cook rice according to package directions. Fluff and keep warm.
- Prep all vegetables: dice tomatoes, chop cucumber and lettuce, slice onion, chop parsley, and crumble feta.
- Mix yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and dill to make the tzatziki sauce.
- Assemble bowls with warm rice, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, parsley, and feta.
- Top with cooked chicken and a generous spoonful of tzatziki.
- Serve immediately or store in airtight containers for meal prep.
how to serve High Protein Mediterranean Lemon-Dill Chicken Bowls (Easy & Meal Prep Friendly)
Serve warm or at room temperature. Add extra lemon wedges for squeezing. For a low-carb option, serve on just lettuce. Drizzle extra tzatziki on top for more creaminess.
how to store High Protein Mediterranean Lemon-Dill Chicken Bowls (Easy & Meal Prep Friendly)
Store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. Keep the tzatziki in a separate small container to keep the salad crisp. Reheat the chicken and rice in the microwave for 1–2 minutes, then add fresh veggies and sauce.
tips to make High Protein Mediterranean Lemon-Dill Chicken Bowls (Easy & Meal Prep Friendly)
- Marinate longer (up to overnight) for more flavor.
- Cook chicken in a hot pan for a nice sear.
- Squeeze extra cucumber when making tzatziki so it is not watery.
- Use a fork to break up feta evenly over the bowl.
- Pack bowls with sauce on the side if you plan to eat them later.
variation (if any)
- Swap basmati rice for quinoa or cauliflower rice for a different texture.
- Use chicken thighs instead of breasts for juicier meat.
- Add roasted red peppers or olives for more Mediterranean flavor.
- Make it spicy by adding extra red pepper flakes or a drizzle of hot sauce.
FAQs
Q: Can I use frozen chicken?
A: Yes. Thaw fully, then marinate and cook as directed.
Q: Can I make this gluten free?
A: Yes. All ingredients here are naturally gluten free if you check labels on the yogurt and spices.
Q: How long does tzatziki last?
A: Tzatziki keeps for about 3–4 days in the fridge in a sealed container.
Q: Can I use plain yogurt instead of Greek yogurt?
A: You can, but Greek yogurt is thicker. If you use plain yogurt, strain it to remove extra liquid for a thicker sauce.
Q: Is this good for meal prep?
A: Yes. The chicken and rice hold up well and the veggies stay fresh if you keep sauce separate.
High Protein Mediterranean Lemon-Dill Chicken Bowls
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: High Protein
Description
A simple, high-protein bowl filled with fresh Mediterranean flavors, perfect for quick dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1¼ lb chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- ⅓ cup olive oil
- 1½ tbsp lemon zest
- 3 tbsp lemon juice
- 2½ tbsp honey
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1½ tsp oregano
- 1½ tsp basil
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 cups basmati rice
- 2 cups diced tomatoes
- 2 cups chopped cucumber
- 4 cups chopped lettuce
- 1 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1 cup crumbled feta
- ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 1 cup Greek yogurt (Fage preferred)
- ½ cup grated cucumber, squeezed dry
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 tbsp finely chopped dill
Instructions
- Mix olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, honey, garlic powder, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a bowl or zip-top bag.
- Add chicken cubes to the marinade and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high. Cook chicken in batches for 5–6 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Cook rice according to package directions. Fluff and keep warm.
- Prep all vegetables: dice tomatoes, chop cucumber and lettuce, slice onion, chop parsley, and crumble feta.
- Mix yogurt, grated cucumber, lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and dill to make the tzatziki sauce.
- Assemble bowls with warm rice, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, parsley, and feta.
- Top with cooked chicken and a generous spoonful of tzatziki.
- Serve immediately or store in airtight containers for meal prep.
Notes
For a low-carb option, serve on just lettuce. Drizzle extra tzatziki on top for more creaminess.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 70mg