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Fresh Lemon Herb Chicken Souvlaki Bowls

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A vibrant Mediterranean-inspired bowl featuring juicy lemon herb marinated chicken thighs served over fluffy rice with fresh veggies and tangy tzatziki sauce. Quick, easy, and perfect for a nourishing weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh oregano leaves, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried oregano)
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups cooked basmati or jasmine rice
  • 1 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced (optional)
  • 1 cup tzatziki sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • Fresh parsley or dill for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cut chicken thighs into 1-inch cubes and set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, chopped oregano, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper to make the marinade.
  3. Add chicken pieces to the marinade, toss to coat well, cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, ideally 1–2 hours.
  4. Cook 2 cups of basmati or jasmine rice according to package instructions.
  5. Heat a grill pan or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat with a touch of olive oil.
  6. Remove chicken from marinade (discard excess) and cook in batches for 4–5 minutes per side until charred and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).
  7. While chicken cooks, dice cucumber, halve cherry tomatoes, thinly slice red onion, and toss with Kalamata olives if using.
  8. Divide cooked rice among four bowls, top with cooked chicken, fresh vegetable mix, and a dollop of tzatziki sauce.
  9. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or dill and serve immediately.

Notes

Marinate chicken for at least 30 minutes but no longer than 4 hours to avoid mushy texture. Use chicken thighs for juicier meat. Let chicken rest 5 minutes after cooking to retain juices. If desired, thread chicken onto skewers for grilling. For dairy-free tzatziki, substitute with coconut yogurt mixed with cucumber and garlic. Fresh lemon zest is key for bright flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: lemon herb chicken, chicken souvlaki, Mediterranean bowl, easy dinner, healthy chicken recipe, lemon chicken, tzatziki, quick chicken recipe

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/fresh-lemon-herb-chicken-souvlaki-bowls-easy-recipe-for-vibrant-mediterranean-flavor/