Name: Mediterranean Chicken Bowls with Spicy Feta Sauce Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients: ½ batch Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Feta Dip; 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1 pound ground chicken (or turkey, beef, or lamb); ½ medium to large yellow onion, finely diced; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 teaspoon turmeric; ½ teaspoon dried thyme; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 2 cups cooked rice of choice (jasmine or brown rice recommended); 1 cup roasted chickpeas (Biena brand recommended) or regular rinsed and drained chickpeas; 4 Persian cucumbers, halved lengthwise and sliced; Pickled red onion; Warm torn pita bread, for scooping; Extra-virgin olive oil; Extra feta cheese, crumbled; Fresh mint leaves; Fresh chopped parsley

There’s something truly comforting about a bowl packed with vibrant flavors and fresh ingredients. That’s exactly why I’m excited to share this Mediterranean Chicken Bowls with Spicy Feta Sauce Recipe—it hits all the right notes with a spicy kick, tender chicken, and those fresh herby toppings that brighten every bite.

A white bowl holds a colorful layered dish starting with a smooth orange spread at the bottom. On top, there is a mix of golden roasted chickpeas and small crumbled yellow bits that look like cooked minced meat or tofu. Bright pink pickled onions sit over the mix along with fresh green cucumber slices and whole mint leaves scattered around. White crumbles of soft cheese are sprinkled evenly across the dish. The fresh herbs add a touch of dark green, making the dish look vibrant and fresh. It is placed on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Mediterranean Chicken Bowls with Spicy Feta Sauce Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Mediterranean Chicken Bowls with Spicy Feta Sauce Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Mediterranean Chicken Bowls with Spicy Feta Sauce Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This recipe has become one of my weeknight staples because it’s simple, ridiculously flavorful, and comes together in just about 30 minutes. The spicy feta sauce is a showstopper that takes all the components up a notch, and trust me—you’ll want to double it for dipping!

Quick & Easy: Perfect for busy evenings when you want a wholesome, satisfying meal without fuss.
Versatile Protein: Ground chicken is healthy and cooks fast, but you can swap it for turkey, beef, or lamb without losing the magic.
Bold Flavors: The blend of warm spices combined with the spicy roasted red pepper feta sauce gives the bowl a unique Mediterranean twist.
Perfect Meal Prep: Keeps well in the fridge, making your weekdays delicious and stress-free.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient in these Mediterranean Chicken Bowls plays a role—from the spices that bring warmth to the chicken to the creamy feta sauce that adds zest and richness. Shopping for fresh herbs and good-quality olive oil really makes this dish sing.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of spicy roasted red pepper feta dip, a small white bowl with extra-virgin olive oil, a mound of raw ground chicken on a simple white ceramic plate, finely diced half yellow onion on a white ceramic dish, a small pile of whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white bowl with kosher salt, a small white bowl with mixed dried spices including garlic powder, cumin, dried oregano, paprika, turmeric, dried thyme, freshly ground black pepper scattered neatly on the surface, a small white ceramic bowl of cooked jasmine rice, a small white bowl of roasted chickpeas, four fresh Persian cucumbers halved lengthwise and sliced arranged symmetrically on a white ceramic plate, thinly sliced pickled red onions in a small white bowl, torn pieces of warm pita bread stacked on a white ceramic plate, small crumbled feta on a white ceramic dish, fresh mint leaves and fresh chopped parsley arranged elegantly on white ceramic plates, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Extra-virgin olive oil: Adds fruitiness and helps brown the chicken while balancing the spices.
Ground chicken: A lean protein that cooks quickly and soaks up the spices beautifully.
Yellow onion: Provides sweetness and depth once softened.
Kosher salt: Essential for seasoning—don’t be shy with it to enhance all flavors.
Garlic powder and cumin: Build savory warmth and earthiness.
Dried oregano, paprika, turmeric, thyme: Classic Mediterranean herbs and spices that give the chicken its distinct taste.
Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a sharp, peppery bite.
Cooked rice: Jasmine or brown rice works great to soak up the sauce and balance the bowl.
Roasted chickpeas (or regular chickpeas): Adds crunch and protein.
Persian cucumbers: Crisp and refreshing to contrast the spices.
Pickled red onion: Brings tanginess and vibrant color.
Torn warm pita: Essential for scooping and making the meal extra fun.
Feta cheese: Crumbled for garnish, pairs perfectly with the spicy feta sauce.
Fresh mint and parsley: Herbs that brighten every bite and add freshness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love tweaking this recipe depending on what’s in my fridge and how spicy I’m feeling that day. You can easily swap ingredients or add your favorite veggies to make it uniquely yours.

Variation: When I want a heartier bowl, I’ll swap ground chicken for ground lamb and add a squeeze of lemon juice at the end for brightness—delicious!
Dietary swap: For a low-carb version, try serving the chicken over cauliflower rice or a big bed of greens instead of traditional rice.
Seasonal tweak: Roasted eggplant or zucchini chunks thrown into the bowl add lovely texture and seasonal flavor.
Heat level: Not a fan of spice? Reduce the paprika or omit the red pepper from the feta sauce to dial it down.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Mediterranean Chicken Bowls with Spicy Feta Sauce Recipe

A blue bowl holds a colorful meal with four layers: on the right side, a layer of white rice with a soft texture; next to it, a layer of yellowish-brown cooked chickpeas with a sauce that looks orange and creamy; on top, bright pink pickled onion slices, green cucumber pieces, fresh mint leaves, and crumbled white cheese spread evenly; a woman's hand is lifting a folded flatbread from the bowl’s left side. A gold fork is inserted into the chickpeas. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface with small green herbs scattered around. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Whip up the Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Feta Sauce

The star of the dish is hands-down that spicy feta sauce. I like making a full batch so I have extras for snacking or sandwiches later. Just follow the recipe carefully—roasted red peppers blended with feta and a little heat make it irresistible. Be sure to save half the batch just for your bowls.

Step 2: Cook the Spiced Ground Chicken

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Start by softening the diced onions for 3 to 5 minutes until they’re fragrant and translucent. Then push them to the side and add your ground chicken. I like to break it up with a wooden spoon or meat masher so it cooks evenly. Sprinkle all the spices on top—this is where the magic happens! Keep stirring and cooking until the chicken is no longer pink, about 5 to 7 minutes total. Be patient here—fully cooking the chicken means the flavors have time to develop.

Step 3: Assemble Your Mediterranean Chicken Bowls

Grab your bowls and start by scooping a generous dollop of the feta sauce on one side—don’t be shy, make it pretty! Add a half cup of cooked rice opposite the sauce. Top the sauce with roasted chickpeas for crunch, then pile the spiced chicken in the center. Add fresh cucumber slices and tangy pickled red onions on top. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil, extra feta crumbles, fresh mint, and parsley. Serve alongside warm torn pita bread—trust me, scooping with pita makes the experience so much more fun!

Top Tip

This recipe is incredibly forgiving, but I’ve learned a few things that really help it shine and keep your prep stress-free.

Don’t rush the onions: Cooking them until soft and translucent builds a strong flavor base that seasons the meat beautifully.
Spice it to your liking: Start with the recommended amounts, but feel free to taste and adjust—finding your perfect spice balance is half the fun.
Keep the feta sauce loose: If it seems too thick, a splash of olive oil or water helps it spread easily around the bowl.
Warm the pita just before serving: It’ll taste fresh and be way easier to tear and scoop.

How to Serve Mediterranean Chicken Bowls with Spicy Feta Sauce Recipe

Mediterranean Chicken Bowls - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I always top these bowls with extra crumbled feta and a good handful of chopped fresh mint and parsley because they add such a refreshing, herbal contrast to the richness of the chicken and sauce. A drizzle of high-quality olive oil finishes the dish perfectly.

Side Dishes

This bowl is pretty complete on its own, but if you want to add sides I recommend a simple Greek salad or some roasted vegetables like eggplants or zucchini to keep things light and bright.

Creative Ways to Present

For special gatherings, I like to serve the components separately in pretty bowls and let everyone build their own Mediterranean chicken bowls with spicy feta sauce. It feels festive and everyone gets exactly what they want—and that vibrant feta sauce always steals the show!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I recommend storing any leftover chicken, rice, and sauce separately in airtight containers in the fridge. That keeps everything tasting fresh and prevents the rice from getting soggy overnight. Plus, the sauce stays creamy and vibrant.

Freezing

This recipe freezes well if you portion the cooked chicken and rice without the fresh toppings. Freeze in individual containers, then thaw overnight in the fridge for an easy, ready-made meal.

Reheating

Reheat the chicken and rice gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through. Add fresh cucumbers, pickled onion, herbs, and feta sauce after reheating to keep them fresh and bright.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other proteins besides ground chicken?

Absolutely! This recipe works wonderfully with ground turkey, beef, or lamb if you prefer richer flavors. Just adjust the cooking time as needed to ensure the meat is fully cooked.

How spicy is the Spicy Feta Sauce?

The sauce has a nice, gentle heat from roasted red peppers and a bit of chili. If you prefer less spice, you can tone it down by reducing the peppers or omitting any added chili flakes.

Can I make the bowls vegan or vegetarian?

You can make a vegetarian version by substituting the ground chicken with spiced roasted chickpeas or sautéed mushrooms, and using a vegan feta alternative for the sauce.

What rice works best for these bowls?

I love using jasmine for its fragrant aroma and fluffy texture, but brown rice also adds nice nuttiness and extra fiber. Feel free to use your favorite rice or grain.

Final Thoughts

Sharing this Mediterranean Chicken Bowls with Spicy Feta Sauce Recipe feels a bit like inviting you into my kitchen. It’s one of those meals that’s easy enough for busy nights yet special enough to impress. Once you try it, I’m sure it’ll become a favorite in your rotation—simple, satisfying, and bursting with vibrant Mediterranean flavors. So grab your skillet and get ready for some bowl bliss!