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These Golden Garlic Chicken Bowls are the perfect combination of cozy, fresh, and flavorful. Crispy golden chicken is served over buttery turmeric rice with a bright cucumber mint salad, creamy garlic yogurt sauce, and your favorite Mediterranean-inspired toppings for a dinner that feels restaurant-worthy. A balanced meal that’s simple enough for busy weeknights yet impressive enough to serve guests. It’s an elevated chicken and rice dinner that the whole family will love!
Golden Garlic Chicken Bowls with Turmeric Rice, Cucumber Mint Salad and Garlic Yogurt Sauce
Easy chicken & rice dinner!
Packed with texture and flavor in every bite! The warm spices in the chicken and rice pair perfectly with the cool, creamy yogurt sauce and crisp cucumber salad. Whether you’re meal prepping lunches or looking for a healthy and satisfying family dinner, these Mediterranean chicken bowls are guaranteed to become a new favorite.
Ingredients
Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are seasoned with warm spices and pan-seared until beautifully golden. For extra crispy edges, lightly dust the chicken with cornstarch before cooking.
Turmeric Rice: Cooking the rice in chicken broth with garlic, onion, butter, and turmeric creates a fragrant, flavorful base that pairs perfectly with the chicken.
Garlic Yogurt Sauce: This creamy sauce comes together in minutes and adds a bright, tangy finish to every bite. Greek yogurt keeps it light while a little olive oil adds richness.
Cucumber Salad: A simple mixture of diced Persian cucumbers, tomato, fresh mint, lemon, and olive oil adds freshness and crunch that balances the warm flavors.
Toppings: Finish each bowl with crumbled feta, pickled onions, fresh parsley, and a squeeze of lemon for the best flavor.
Variations & Add-Ins
These bowls are easy to customize depending on what you have on hand.
- Add roasted chickpeas for extra crunch.
- Swap the cucumber salad for a traditional Greek salad.
- Use quinoa or cauliflower rice instead of jasmine rice.
- Add kalamata olives for a briny bite.
- Make it spicy with crushed red pepper flakes, or a drizzle of hot honey.
- Try serving everything over greens for a lighter bowl.
Why You’ll Love These Golden Garlic Chicken Bowls
- Easy enough for weeknights. Simple ingredients come together for a flavorful meal in about 45 minutes.
- Restaurant-inspired flavors. Warm spices, garlic, lemon, and fresh herbs create a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired dinner.
- Perfect for meal prep. The chicken, rice, and toppings store well, making leftovers just as delicious.
- Customizable. Add your favorite toppings like feta, pickled onions, olives, or crispy chickpeas to make each bowl your own. Or stuff into pita bread for a delicious wrap.
- Balanced and satisfying. Every bowl is filled with protein, fresh vegetables, creamy sauce, and fluffy rice for a complete meal.
Print Recipe
🛒 Shopping List
Everything you need for the full meal
Produce
- 1 small white onion
- 1 head garlic
- 5 Persian cucumbers
- 4 Roma tomatoes
- 3 lemons
- 1 bunch fresh parsley
- 1 small bunch fresh dill
- 1 small bunch fresh mint
- 1 jar pickled onions(optional)
Meat & Dairy
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- Feta cheese, for crumbling
Pantry & Spices
- Olive oil (about ½ cup total)
- 2 cups jasmine or basmati rice
- 3 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- Turmeric (ground)
- Ground cinnamon
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Garlic powder
- Dried oregano
- Smoked paprika
- Ground cumin
- Dried dill
- Dried parsley
Golden Garlic Chicken Bowls
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Rinse rice in a fine mesh strainer. Drain well and set aside.
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 4–5 minutes, until softened and lightly golden.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add turmeric and cinnamon and stir to coat the onions and garlic.
- Add rinsed and drained rice and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently, to lightly toast the rice.
- Pour in stock and add salt. Bring to a gentle boil.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15–18 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
- Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Fluff with a fork and stir in chopped parsley (optional!) Serve with a squeeze of lemon juice, if desired.
- Dice cucumbers and tomatoes then add to a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Add in feta and mint then season with salt and pepper to taste and toss to combine.
- Refrigerate while preparing the remaining components.
- Add all ingredients to a small bowl. Stir until smooth and well combined.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, oregano, paprika, turmeric, and cumin.
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
- Drizzle remaining olive oil over chicken and rub to coat evenly.
- Season both sides of the chicken with the seasoning mix.
- Add 2 chicken breasts to the skillet and cook undisturbed for 6 minutes.
- Flip the chicken and add 1 tablespoon butter and 1 garlic clove to the skillet. Spoon the melted butter over the chicken as it cooks. (this gives a great flavor, but is optional!)
- Continue cooking for about 6 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes.
- Repeat with the remaining chicken breasts, butter, and garlic.
- Slice and garnish with fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon before serving.
- Divide turmeric rice among serving bowls.
- Use a spoon to add a generous dollop of garlic yogurt sauce and top with sliced golden garlic chicken.
- Add cucumber salad on the side.
- Finish with extra parsley, feta, pickled onions, and fresh lemon wedges, if desired. Enjoy!
