Greek Chicken with Tzatziki and Couscous Recipe
A delightful Mediterranean meal featuring juicy marinated Greek chicken breasts served with fluffy lemon-zested couscous and a refreshing homemade tzatziki sauce made with Greek yogurt, cucumber, and fresh dill. Perfect for a healthy, flavorful dinner that brings summery vibes to your table.
- Author: Ella
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Grilling or Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Low Fat
For the Greek Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Tzatziki:
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 small cucumber, grated and excess water squeezed out
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped (or 1 tsp dried dill)
- Salt, to taste
For the Couscous:
- 1 cup couscous
- 1 ½ cups vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley or mint, chopped for garnish (optional)
- Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken breasts, ensuring they are well-coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for enhanced flavor.
- Prepare the Tzatziki: In a medium bowl, combine Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, dill, and salt. Mix well and chill in the refrigerator while preparing the rest of the dish to allow flavors to meld.
- Cook the Couscous: Bring the vegetable or chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in olive oil, lemon zest, couscous, salt, and pepper. Cover the pan and remove from heat. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the couscous absorbs the liquid. Fluff with a fork before serving.
- Grill or Bake the Chicken: Preheat your grill to medium-high or your oven to 400°F (200°C). If grilling, place the marinated chicken breasts on the grill and cook for 6-8 minutes per side or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). If baking, place chicken in a cast-iron skillet or baking dish and bake for 20-25 minutes, until fully cooked.
- Plating: Slice the grilled or baked chicken and serve alongside a generous scoop of couscous. Drizzle tzatziki over the chicken or serve as a side dip. Garnish with fresh parsley or mint if desired.
- Enjoy: Dig into this refreshing and flavorful Mediterranean dish that’s perfect for warm weather dining.
Notes
- For best results, marinate the chicken for at least 1 hour to develop maximum flavor.
- Make sure to squeeze out excess water from the grated cucumber to keep the tzatziki thick and creamy.
- Couscous can be substituted with quinoa or bulgur wheat for a different texture and added nutrients.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-containing due to couscous; substitute gluten-free grains if necessary.
- Store leftover tzatziki covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken breast with 1/4 cup couscous and 2 tablespoons tzatziki
- Calories: 430 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg
Keywords: Greek chicken, tzatziki sauce, couscous, Mediterranean recipe, grilled chicken, healthy dinner, lemon herb chicken