Description
Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice is a bright and flavorful one pan chicken dinner made with juicy chicken, long grain rice, fresh lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. This easy weeknight chicken recipe delivers tender chicken and fluffy rice infused with citrus and savory seasonings. Perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or healthy comfort food lovers looking for a simple homemade chicken and rice recipe.
Ingredients
4 boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 cup long grain white rice
2 cups chicken broth
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest
3 cloves garlic minced
1 small onion finely chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
1. Pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt, black pepper, oregano, and lemon zest.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sear the chicken for 4 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same pan sauté the chopped onion until soft, then add minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
4. Stir in the rice and toast it lightly for 1 to 2 minutes.
5. Pour in the chicken broth and fresh lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the pan.
6. Return the chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the rice.
7. Cover and simmer on low for 18 to 22 minutes until the rice is tender and the chicken reaches 165°F internally.
8. Remove from heat, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For extra lemon flavor add an additional squeeze of fresh lemon juice just before serving.
If using chicken breasts instead of thighs slice them in half lengthwise for even cooking.
Add a splash of broth when reheating leftovers to keep the rice moist.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 620mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg