garnish: lemon wedgescracked black pepper and some fresh parsley
Instructions
Marinate Chicken: In a small bowl, add the chicken marinade ingredients. Whisk to combine. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and place in a reusable silicone bag or glass container. Pour the marinade over top and ensure chicken is fully coated. Cover and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or overnight.
Prep: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Cook Chicken: Place a large cast iron skillet on the stove top and bring to medium-high heat. Add a tiny bit of oil to the pan, just enough to lightly coat the bottom. Once the pan is hot (it should sizzle if you flick some water on it) place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the pan and let sear 3-4 minutes or until the skin is nice and golden brown. Flip the chicken thighs over and then move the skillet to the oven (middle rack and uncovered). Let cook 15-20 minutes or until fully cooked (165 degrees F internal temperature - use a meat thermometer). Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving.
Make Olive Mixture: Combine olives, cucumbers, bell peppers, tomatoes, feta cheese, & red onions in a medium bowl. Add 2 tablespoons Greek Vinaigrette and toss to combine.
Assemble Rice Bowls: Divide chicken, olive mixture, rice and avocado between individual bowls.
Serve: Add a dollop of tzatziki sauce and some slices of pita bread. Option to garnish with lemon wedges, cracked black pepper, & a bit of fresh parsley. Enjoy!
Notes
Tzatziki Sauce: feel free to use store-bought or try our homemade tzatziki sauce!
Grilled Chicken Option: preheat grill to medium high heat (about 400 degrees F) and ensure grill grates are clean. Grill chicken on direct heat (directly over flame) for 3-4 minutes per side (the bigger the thigh, the longer you will need to cook it), flipping once. Remove from grill once the internal temp has reached 165 degrees F. Let rest 5-10 minutes before serving.
Boneless Chicken Thighs: you can easily use boneless chicken thighs instead of bone-in, just adjust cook time down because they will cook much faster.
Gluten Free: omit the pita bread or use a dairy-free alternative.
Dairy Free: omit the feta cheese or use a dairy-free alternative & serve with dairy free tzatziki sauce.