Mediterranean · Meal prep
Mediterranean Chicken & Yellow Rice Bowl
Tender marinated chicken over fragrant yellow rice with cucumber, tomato, red onion, and a creamy garlic white sauce.
6–8servings25 minprep20 mincook20 min+marinate
From Dianne's kitchen
A bowl that makes dinner easy
This satisfying bowl brings together warmly spiced chicken, turmeric-yellow rice, fresh vegetables, and a cool garlic sauce.
It is equally at home on the dinner table or portioned into containers for an easy week of lunches.
What you'll need
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 8–10 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1½ tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
For the yellow rice
- 1½ cups basmati or jasmine rice
- 2¼ cups chicken bone broth
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
For the creamy white sauce
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon honey
- 2 tablespoons water
To serve
- Sliced cucumbers
- Diced tomatoes
- Thinly sliced red onion
Step by step
Instructions
- Combine the olive oil, seasonings, yogurt, lemon juice, and garlic. Add the chicken and coat well. Marinate for at least 20 minutes or overnight.
- Broil the chicken on a lined pan for 6–8 minutes per side, until it reaches 165°F. Alternatively, air fry at 380°F for 16–20 minutes, flipping halfway.
- For the rice, rinse until the water runs clear. Cook with broth, cumin, turmeric, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. Remove the bay leaf and fluff.
- Whisk together all white-sauce ingredients. Add a little extra water if needed for a drizzleable consistency.
- Rest the cooked chicken for 5 minutes, then slice.
- Divide rice among bowls. Top with chicken, cucumber, tomato, red onion, and a generous drizzle of white sauce.
Dianne's kitchen tip
Let the marinade do the work.
An overnight rest gives the chicken its deepest flavor and tender texture.
Store the chicken, rice, vegetables, and sauce separately for easy meal-prep bowls.