Mediterranean Chicken Bowl

Name: Mediterranean Chicken Bowl
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 90 min
Ingredients: 2 cups Cooked Rice ((for serving)); 1 tbsp Garlic Powder; 2 tsp Onion Powder; 2 tsp Smoked Paprika; 2 tsp Cumin; 1 tsp Turmeric; 1 tsp Ground Coriander; 1/2 tsp Cinnamon; 1/4 tsp Ground Cloves; 1/4 tsp Cardamom; 2 1/2 lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs; 1/4 cup Lemon Juice; 1/4 cup Olive Oil; 1/4 cup Greek Yogurt; 2 tsp Kosher Salt; 1 tsp Black Pepper; 1 Cucumber ((sliced)); 1 Cherry Tomato ((sliced)); 1/4 Red Onion ((diced)); 3 tbsp Fresh Dill ((chopped)); 1 tbsp Lemon Juice; Kosher Salt ((to taste)); 1 small Cucumber; 2 tbsp Fresh Dill ((chopped)); 1 tbsp Fresh Mint ((chopped)); 1 cup Greek Yogurt; 2 tbsp Lemon Juice; 4 cloves Garlic ((minced)); 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt

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This Mediterranean Chicken Bowl recipe has juicy marinated chicken thighs baked right in a loaf pan and served over seasoned rice and a crisp cucumber and tomato salad! Finish it off with a homemade Tzatziki sauce for a meal that’s fresh, light, and easy!

For more rice bowls, try my Bulgogi Bowl and Chicken Teriyaki Bowl!

Mediterranean Chicken Bowl on a serving board next to a bowl of rice and sliced olives.

About a year ago, I saw someone online make chicken shawarma in a loaf pan and ever since, I have been OBSESSED. I tried it and the chicken comes out SO juicy and tender.

So naturally, I used the same method to make these delicious chicken bowls.

Yep, we’re using the loaf pan oven method! Now, this isn’t chicken shawarma, but the flavors are similar. We start with an easy chicken marinade, this makes for flavor in every bite. Then there’s a quick and easy cucumber salad for some fresh flavor.

This is an easy weeknight meal that has the perfect amount of spice, tons of flavor, and is so easy you’ll be prepping it every single week!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Main Ingredients
Recipe Variations
How to Make Mediterranean Chicken Bowls
Pro Cooking Tips
How to Serve
Recipe FAQs
More Easy Weeknight Dinners

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Great recipe for meal prep! It holds up beautifully in the fridge, so it’s perfect for lunches all week.
Bold flavor: Juicy, herby chicken paired with tangy tzatziki, briny olives, and a squeeze of lemon brings a restaurant-quality Mediterranean vibe right to your kitchen.
Balanced and wholesome: Protein packed chicken, fiber-rich, and plenty of fresh veggies make it a feel-good meal that doesn’t skimp on taste.
Customizable: It’s easy to make it your own—swap rice for quinoa, add feta, toss in chickpeas, or add a scoop of hummus or roasted garlic labneh on the side.

Main Ingredients

up close photo of mediterranean chicken bowls.

(full list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card)

I used boneless skinless chicken thighs but you can use chicken breasts or chicken tenderloin too. I like using chicken thighs because they’re the juiciest and don’t dry out in the oven!
For the seasoning blend, you’ll need ground cumin, turmeric, ground coriander, smoked paprika, ground cloves, garlic powder, onion powder, cardamom, and cinnamon. This blend of spices makes for a flavorful chicken that packs each bite with
The marinade ingredients are lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, plain Greek yogurt, black pepper, and salt.
Fresh Dill and Fresh chopped Parsley add pops of freshness to the dish!
Kalamata Olives
Basmati Rice is ideal for this recipe because it’s light, fluffy, and has good flavor. You can also use brown rice, jasmine rice, or white rice. Use any long grain rice that doesn’t get mushy.

Recipe Variations

Serve with cauliflower rice for a low carb option or roasted sweet potatoes for a fun swap on rice. You can also use fluffy quinoa or brown rice instead.
Add garbanzo beans (chickpeas) for extra protein and fiber.
For some spice, add in red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the chicken! You can even add a little harissa on top if you like a little blast of sweet heat!

How to Make Mediterranean Chicken Bowls

Prep – marinate the chicken: Combine the spice blend in a small bowl and mix together. Add chicken to large bowl or ziploc bag and pour the spice blend on top, ensuring all of the chicken is coated. Then add fresh lemon juice, kosher salt, black pepper, olive oil, and greek yogurt. Mix together and cover with plastic wrap. Place in the refrigerator to marinate for at least 30 minutes (ideally overnight).

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Pour the chicken along with all of the juices into a 9×5 loaf pan. Bake in the oven for 40-45 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 175 degrees F. Then broil for 2-3 minutes for a nice char on top. Let the chicken rest in the pan for about 10 minutes.

cucumber and tomato salad mixed together in a large bowl.

Step 2: While the chicken is baking, combine the fresh cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, fresh dill, and lemon juice. Mix together and add a pinch of salt to taste. Set aside.

homemade tzatziki sauce in a bowl with a spoon.

Step 3: Next, make the tzatziki sauce. Grate a small cucumber into a bowl and add kosher salt, dill, mint, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, lemon zest, and diced garlic. Mix together and set aside.

seasoned rice in a bowl with some of the gravy from the chicken.

Step 4: Remove about a 1/2 cup of the juices from the loaf pan and add to the rice and stir together. Set aside. (add more if you prefer)

Now assemble the bowls. Turn chicken oven onto a cutting board and cut into bite-sized pieces. Add rice to a serving bowl, top with the sliced chicken, cucumber tomato salad, feta cheese, and a generous dollop of the tzatziki sauce and fresh herbs on top.

overhead photo of mediterranean chicken bowl on a serving bowl with forks, feta, olives, and cucumber salad.

Pro Cooking Tips

Marinate for max flavor: Use olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, paprika, and a touch of yogurt for juicy, flavorful chicken. Let it sit at least 30 minutes—overnight is even better.
Let the chicken rest: Always rest cooked chicken for 5–10 minutes before slicing to keep the juices inside.
For added flavor, cook your rice with chicken stock, bay leaf, and a garlic clove for infused flavor without needing heavy sauces.

How to Serve

Serve with warm pita bread and white rice or yellow rice. As an alternative to Tzatziki, you can make a tahini sauce, yogurt sauce, or toum.

Also, for added flavor, make with Caramelized onion hummus with a side of olive bread or warm pita.

Recipe FAQs

How long should I marinate the chicken?

At least 30 minutes, but overnight is ideal! The longer you marinate the chicken, up to 24 hours, will give you the most flavor.

Can I use quinoa, couscous, or farro instead of rice?

Of course! Just make sure it’s cooked properly.

What sauces go well with Mediterranean chicken bowls?

Tzatziki, tahini sauce, or a lemon-garlic vinaigrette are perfect for adding creaminess and tang. You can also drizzle with hummus thinned out with a little water or olive oil for a smooth, rich finish.

What are good toppings to add extra crunch or flavor?

Great toppings for extra crunch and flavor include pickled red onions, sliced cucumbers, crispy chickpeas, or toasted pita chips. Fresh herbs like parsley or dill, crumbled feta, and a squeeze of lemon add brightness and more textures.