Greek chicken bowls have become our fam’s absolute fave dinner lately! Seriously can’t get enough of the combo of juicy seasoned chicken, fresh veggies and that tangy tzatziki sauce that brings everything together. What makes these Greek chicken bowls special is how the flavors just pop in your mouth – the herbs on the chicken mixed with those crunchy cucumbers and that salty feta… trust me, your taste buds are gonna thank you! Keep reading cuz I’m gonna show you how to make the best Greek chicken bowls that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
Why You’ll Love These Greek Chicken Bowls
Making dinner on busy weeknights used to stress me out so much – until these Greek chicken bowls saved me! Last month when my sister brought her kids over unexpectedly, I threw these together in like 30 mins and everyone was impressed. Even my picky nephew cleared his plate!
What’s awesome about these Greek chicken bowls is you can customize them for literally everyone. Low-carb peeps can skip the rice, veggie lovers can double up on veggies, and meat lovers can add extra chicken. Plus they’re perfect for meal prep – just store components separately and assemble when ready to eat.
These bowls are way healthier than takeout but taste just as good (maybe even better tbh). Let’s get into what you’ll need!
Ingredients You’ll Need for Greek Chicken Bowls
For the Greek Chicken:
- Boneless skinless chicken breasts: The protein star of our Greek chicken bowls! Could use thighs instead if you want something juicier.
- Olive oil: Try to use extra virgin for more flavor, but regular works too.
- Lemon juice: Fresh is best but bottled works in a pinch.
- Garlic: Minced fresh garlic gives the best flavor but garlic powder works if you’re in a hurry.
- Dried oregano: This is KEY for authentic Greek flavor! Don’t skip it.
- Dried thyme: Adds depth to the chicken marinade.
- Paprika: Regular sweet paprika works great, but smoked adds nice flavor too.
- Salt and pepper: Always adjust to taste!
For the Bowls:
- Cooked rice: White, brown or cauliflower rice all work great as the base.
- Cucumber: English cucumbers have fewer seeds but regular ones work too.
- Cherry tomatoes: These are sweeter than regular tomatoes and look pretty when halved.
- Red onion: Gives a nice bite, but soak in cold water for 5 mins if you want it milder.
- Kalamata olives: These bring that authentic Greek flavor! Black olives work in a pinch.
- Feta cheese: Get the block and crumble it yourself for best flavor, pre-crumbled is ok too.
- Tzatziki sauce: Store-bought saves time but homemade is super easy and tastes way better!
- Fresh dill and parsley: Optional for garnish but adds nice freshness.
How to Make Greek Chicken Bowls
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
- In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, salt and pepper.
- Add chicken breasts and coat completely. Let sit for at least 15 mins (longer if you have time).
- You’ll know it’s ready when the chicken has absorbed the marinade and looks evenly coated.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat with a bit of olive oil.
- Remove chicken from marinade and cook about 6-7 mins per side until golden brown and internal temp reaches 165°F.
- The chicken is done when it’s firm to touch but still slightly springy, not hard.
- Let it rest for 5 mins (super important!) then slice into strips.
Step 3: Prepare the Bowl Components
- While chicken cooks, chop cucumber, halve cherry tomatoes, slice red onion, and prepare other toppings.
- Warm your rice if it’s not freshly made.
- Get your tzatziki ready (or make quick homemade version by mixing Greek yogurt, cucumber, garlic, dill, lemon juice).
Step 4: Assemble Your Greek Chicken Bowls
- Start with rice as the base in each bowl.
- Arrange sliced chicken and all veggies in sections around the bowl.
- Sprinkle feta cheese and olives on top.
- Drizzle with tzatziki sauce and a little olive oil.
- Finish with fresh herbs if using.
Tasty Variations of Greek Chicken Bowls
Mediterranean Meal Prep Greek Chicken Bowls
Use quinoa instead of rice, add roasted red peppers, and pack components separately for easy grab-and-go lunches all week.
Low-Carb Greek Chicken Bowl
Skip the rice completely and use a bed of chopped romaine lettuce or baby spinach instead. Double the veggies for extra nutrition.
Greek Chicken Bowl with Hummus
Add a dollop of hummus alongside the tzatziki for extra protein and creaminess – so good for dipping the chicken!
Spicy Greek Chicken Bowls
Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the chicken marinade and mix some sriracha into the tzatziki for heat lovers.
Grilled Greek Chicken Veggie Bowls
In summer, throw the chicken AND veggies on the grill for amazing smoky flavor. Try zucchini, bell peppers and red onion chunks.
Greek Chicken Pita Bowls
Serve with warm pita triangles on the side for scooping everything up – perfect for kids who love to eat with their hands!
Greek Chicken Bowls
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Skillet or grill pan
- Cutting board
- Knife
- Measuring Spoons
- Rice cooker or pot (optional)
Ingredients
For the Greek Chicken:
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice fresh preferred
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Bowl Base & Toppings:
- 2 cups cooked rice white, brown or cauliflower
- 1 cucumber chopped
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- ½ red onion thinly sliced
- ½ cup kalamata olives
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup tzatziki sauce
- Fresh dill and parsley optional garnish
Instructions
Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, thyme, paprika, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and coat well. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes.
Cook the Chicken:
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken for 6–7 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F internal temp). Let rest 5 minutes, then slice.
Prep Bowl Ingredients:
- While the chicken cooks, chop cucumber, tomatoes, onion, and prepare rice and other toppings.
Assemble Bowls:
- Add rice to each bowl. Top with sliced chicken, cucumber, tomatoes, onion, olives, and feta. Drizzle with tzatziki and olive oil. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Greek chicken taste so good?
Greek chicken tastes amazing cuz of the combo of lemon, garlic and herbs like oregano and thyme! These flavors have been used in Greek cooking forever and just work perfectly together. The acid from the lemon actually tenderizes the chicken while adding brightness. Plus, most Greek chicken recipes use olive oil which adds richness without being heavy.
What seasoning goes on Greek chicken?
Traditional Greek chicken seasoning includes dried oregano (the most important!), garlic, lemon, olive oil, and sometimes thyme or rosemary. Some recipes also add paprika for color and flavor. Salt and pepper are obvs important too! The key is letting the herbs shine without adding too many competing flavors.
What seasoning is in Mediterranean chicken bowls?
Mediterranean chicken bowls usually have chicken seasoned with oregano, thyme, garlic, lemon, and sometimes paprika or cumin. The bowls themselves might include za’atar (a Middle Eastern spice blend), sumac for tanginess, or herbs like dill and parsley. The combo of these seasonings gives that distinct Mediterranean flavor that’s both bright and earthy.
What goes in a Greek chicken bowl?
A typical Greek chicken bowl starts with a base (usually rice or greens), topped with Greek-seasoned chicken, fresh veggies like cucumber, tomato, and red onion, kalamata olives, and feta cheese. Most include tzatziki sauce and sometimes a drizzle of olive oil. For extra authenticity, add a squeeze of lemon juice right before eating!
What sauces are used in Greek food?
Greek cuisine loves tzatziki (yogurt, cucumber, garlic sauce) which is prob the most famous. But they also use other sauces like ladolemono (olive oil and lemon), skordalia (garlic and potato), tahini sauce, and avgolemono (egg and lemon sauce). For these Greek chicken bowls, tzatziki is def the way to go, but a simple olive oil and lemon drizzle works great too!
Make These Greek Chicken Bowls Your New Go-To Meal
Honestly can’t tell you how many times these Greek chicken bowls have saved dinner at our house! Last week my hubby texted last minute saying he was bringing a coworker home, and I had these ready in 30 mins flat. The kitchen smelled amazing when they walked in!
What I love most about these bowls is how they balance traditional Greek flavors while still being super approachable for anyone. They’re fancy enough for guests but easy enough for busy weeknights.
If you enjoy these Greek chicken bowls, you might also wanna check out my Creamy Broccoli and Chicken Penne or Spicy Chicken and Chorizo Rice for more quick and delicious dinner ideas!
Make these Greek chicken bowls your own – play with the ingredients, adjust the seasonings to your taste, and enjoy bringing a little Mediterranean sunshine to your dinner table!