Description

Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice is a one-pan wonder perfect for quick dinners, healthy meal prep, or cozy comfort food. Juicy chicken thighs are seasoned with lemon, garlic, and thyme then simmered with fluffy rice in savory broth for a complete meal. This easy dinner recipe is gluten-free, budget-friendly, and full of flavor. A must-try for anyone looking for easy recipes, quick weeknight meals, or family-friendly dinner ideas.

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon unsalted butter (divided)

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup long grain white rice

2 cups chicken broth

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon lemon zest

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper.

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Sear the chicken thighs for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.

3. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add 1/2 tablespoon butter and stir in minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

4. Add rice to the skillet and toast for 2 minutes, stirring often.

5. Pour in chicken broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, and thyme. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer.

6. Nestle chicken thighs on top of the rice. Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.

7. Remove from heat. Stir in remaining butter and chopped parsley. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use a tight-fitting lid to steam the rice properly.

For extra lemon flavor, add lemon slices on top during cooking.

You can swap chicken thighs with breasts, but reduce cook time slightly to avoid drying.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Dinner
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 portion (1/4 of recipe)
Calories: 410
Sugar: 1g
Sodium: 720mg
Fat: 17g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Unsaturated Fat: 11g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 30g
Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: chicken and rice, lemon chicken, one-pot meal, healthy dinner, easy chicken recipe