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Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice

Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice
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Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice is a comforting and vibrant Mediterranean dish featuring tender, juicy chicken combined with zesty lemon and fluffy, aromatic long-grain rice. This one-pan meal is easy to prepare in under an hour, perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed dinners, and delivers fresh, wholesome flavors that the whole family will enjoy.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 bone-in or boneless chicken thighs or breasts
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 2 tbsp olive oil

Rice Mixture

  • 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups chicken broth (gluten-free if needed)
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Garnish (optional)

  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • Lemon wedges

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Season chicken thighs or breasts generously with salt, pepper, dried oregano, and freshly grated lemon zest. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and brown the chicken on both sides until golden but not fully cooked, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
  2. Sauté the aromatics: In the same skillet, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. This step builds the base flavor for the rice.
  3. Toast the rice: Add long-grain white rice to the skillet and stir it into the garlic and oil. Toast the rice lightly for 2 minutes to develop a nutty aroma and enhance texture.
  4. Add liquids and cook: Pour in chicken broth and fresh lemon juice, stirring well and scraping any browned bits from the pan bottom. Nestle browned chicken pieces back into the rice mixture. Cover the skillet and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20-25 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
  5. Finish and serve: Once cooked, fluff rice gently with a fork and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for color and freshness. Serve hot with lemon wedges on the side for extra zest.

Notes

  • Use bone-in chicken for juicier meat and extra flavor.
  • Do not lift the lid or stir rice during cooking to avoid mushiness.
  • Toasting the rice enhances texture and adds subtle flavor complexity.
  • Let the dish rest covered off the heat for 5 minutes after cooking to finish steaming.
  • Add fresh lemon juice at the end of cooking to preserve bright citrus flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: Greek chicken, lemon rice, Mediterranean chicken, one-pan chicken recipe, healthy chicken dinner, easy weeknight meal, gluten-free chicken recipe

Find it online: https://recipesemilly.com/greek-chicken-and-lemon-rice/