Greek Chicken Bowl Meal

Greek Chicken Bowls have become one of my favorite fresh and satisfying weekday dinners. They combine juicy marinated chicken with crisp veggies creamy tzatziki and tangy feta for a meal that is packed with flavor and nutrients. Perfect for meal prep or family dinners these bowls are endlessly customizable and always leave everyone happy.

Every time I make these I love how everyone in my family builds their bowl a little differently. Watching the kids pile up their favorites or drizzle on extra tzatziki always makes me smile especially since this is a fuss free way to get everyone to eat lots of veggies.

Ingredients

• Chicken breasts: look for smaller breasts for even cooking or cut larger ones in half
• Olive oil: adds moisture and richness choose a high quality extra virgin type for the marinade
• Lemon juice: fresh squeezed brightens the dish and helps tenderize the chicken
• Cooked rice or quinoa: both make hearty bases choose whole grain or a seed like quinoa for extra nutrition
• Grape tomatoes: provide juicy bursts of flavor opt for deep red and firm ones
• Cucumber: brings crunch and freshness English or Persian cucumbers have less seeds
• Romaine lettuce: offers crispness and bulk shred it thin for easy layering
• Red onion: adds sharpness slice thin for milder flavor
• Feta cheese: gives saltiness and tang choose block feta for best texture if possible
• Tzatziki sauce: homemade with Greek yogurt cucumber garlic and dill creates creaminess and a classic Greek note
• Optional add ins: If you want extra color and vitamins add bell peppers or kalamata olives

Instructions

Marinate the Chicken:

Whisk together the olive oil lemon juice honey garlic powder oregano basil salt pepper and red pepper flakes in a bowl until well combined. Place chicken breasts between sheets of parchment or plastic and gently pound them to an even thickness so they cook evenly and can better soak up the marinade. Pour the marinade over chicken in a zipper bag or shallow dish. Let marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes up to four hours for the deepest flavor.

Prepare the Tzatziki:

Grate the cucumber using the coarse side of a box grater and squeeze out excess moisture with a towel. In a medium bowl combine Greek yogurt grated cucumber lemon juice olive oil minced garlic a pinch of salt and chopped dill. Stir thoroughly to blend flavors. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve which will also help it thicken a bit.

Cook the Grain Base:

Prepare your chosen rice or quinoa according to the package instructions. Fluff with a fork and keep warm. Season lightly with salt and a drizzle of olive oil for extra flavor if desired.

Prep the Veggies:

Halve grape tomatoes dice the cucumber slice red onion and chop or shred romaine lettuce. Assemble these in separate piles or bowls for easy assembling later. If using feta as a block crumble it with your hands just before serving for texture.

Cook the Chicken:

Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees. Remove chicken from the marinade and shake off excess. Arrange in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook for about 10 minutes flipping halfway through until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. Let the chicken rest on a cutting board for five minutes before slicing into strips or bite size pieces. This helps retain the juices.

Assemble the Bowls:

In wide shallow bowls arrange a scoop of rice or quinoa as the base. Pile on chicken slices and top with veggies arranging them in sections for a beautiful presentation. Sprinkle over feta and add a generous dollop of tzatziki. Garnish with more fresh dill or a squeeze of lemon if you like.

My favorite part is always the homemade tzatziki. I remember making big batches with my grandmother who would insist on using extra dill. We would always sneak tastes right from the bowl while mixing.

Storage Tips

Store extra ingredients in separate containers to keep everything crisp. Chicken will hold up for two to three days in the fridge and tzatziki stays fresh for about the same time. Bring together individual portions just before eating to avoid soggy rice or lettuce. If you want to freeze the cooked chicken do so without any veggies or tzatziki for best results.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you cannot find feta cheese goat cheese or a non dairy feta style cheese works great. For the base try brown rice cauliflower rice or farro. Use store bought tzatziki if you are short on time but fresh dill really makes a difference. For a vegetarian version swap chicken for chickpeas or falafel.

Serving Suggestions

Pile everything up family style at the table and let everyone DIY their bowl. These bowls work well for picnics or potlucks since all the components can be packed separately and assembled on site. Add a side of warm pita or crispy chickpeas for crunch.

These Greek Chicken Bowls are about bright simple flavors and easy meals that everyone can make their own. With a little prep you will have a delicious dinner on the table that feels both healthy and special.

Recipe FAQs

→ Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Yes, you can substitute chicken thighs for breasts. Thighs will be juicier but may require slightly longer cooking time in the air fryer.

→ Is it possible to make this bowl vegetarian?

Absolutely! Omit the chicken and add roasted chickpeas or grilled halloumi for protein and texture.

→ How can I prepare the bowl ahead of time?

Prepare chicken, rice, chopped veggies, and tzatziki in advance. Assemble just before serving for best freshness.

→ Which grains can be used besides rice or quinoa?

Bulgur, farro, or couscous are excellent alternatives for the base and offer a different texture and flavor.

→ What toppings go well with this bowl?

Try adding kalamata olives, fresh herbs like parsley, or a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts for extra flavor.

→ Can I grill the chicken instead of air frying?

Yes! Grilling imparts a smoky flavor and works equally well. Cook chicken until it reaches 165°F internally.