Roasted drumsticks with tzatziki sauce, rice and peppers

Are you feeling the urge for some authentic Greek cuisine, but don't want to travel all the way to Greece? Well, have no fear because this recipe will satisfy your craving without having to leave your kitchen. The combination of juicy roasted drumsticks and a cool, creamy sauce on top will surely please your taste buds. And even if you don't have all the necessary ingredients to make the sauce from scratch, you can easily find a pre-made version at your local grocery store. So, indulge in the flavors of Greece without traveling!

Roasted Drumsticks:

Ingredients:

-6 chicken drumsticks

-2 tablespoons olive oil

-1 tablespoon minced garlic

-1 teaspoon dried oregano

-1 teaspoon dried thyme

-1 teaspoon paprika

-1/2 teaspoon salt

-1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F

2. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, dried thyme, paprika, salt and black pepper.

3. Place the chicken drumsticks in a large mixing bowl and pour the marinade over them. Using your hands, make sure each drumstick is evenly coated with the marinade.

4. Place the drumsticks on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F

Tzatziki Sauce:

Ingredients:

-1 cup plain Greek yogurt

-1/2 cup grated cucumber

-1 clove minced garlic

-1 tablespoon lemon juice

-1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill

-1/4 teaspoon salt

-1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a small mixing bowl, combine the Greek yogurt, grated cucumber, minced garlic, lemon juice, chopped dill, salt and black pepper.

2. Mix well until all the ingredients are well combined.

3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.

Rice and Peppers:

Ingredients:

-1 cup rice

-2 cups water

-1 tablespoon olive oil

-1 bell pepper, diced

-1/2 onion, diced

-1 clove minced garlic

-1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

-1/2 teaspoon salt

-1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a medium-sized pot, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.

2. Add in 1 cup of rice, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot and let it cook for 18 minutes.

3. In a separate pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add in the diced bell pepper, onion, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt and black pepper. Saute for 5 minutes until the vegetables are soft.

4. Once the rice is cooked, fluff it with a fork and add it to the pan with the vegetables. Mix well until everything is evenly combined.

Pita Bread: optional step

*I cut my pita into triangles and served them plain with some extra sauce for dipping on the side*

Ingredients:

-4 pita bread

-1 tablespoon olive oil

-1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

-1/4 teaspoon salt

-1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat a grill or pan to medium-high heat.

2. In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, dried oregano, salt and black pepper.

3. Brush the pita bread with the olive oil mixture on both sides.

4. Place the pita bread on the grill/pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until slightly charred and crispy.

To serve:

Place your rice down first, then the chicken in the middle with the tzatziki sauce on top. Place peppers and pita on the side. Enjoy!