Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice: 7 Flavorful Family Delights Recipe
This Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice recipe is a vibrant, comforting one-pan meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken fillets are seared with garlic and infused with fresh lemon juice and zest, then cooked together with rice and aromatic herbs like oregano and thyme in flavorful chicken broth. In just 35 minutes, you’ll have a wholesome, zesty dish packed with family-friendly flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Marinade
- 1 lb chicken fillet
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 lemon (juiced and zested)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Rice and Broth
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: In a pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil to prepare for sautéing the garlic and chicken.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the heated oil and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful not to burn it.
- Cook Chicken: Place the chicken fillets in the pan and cook until browned on both sides, approximately 4-5 minutes per side, ensuring they are nicely seared.
- Add Rice and Liquids: Stir in the rice, chicken broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest to the pan, combining all ingredients evenly.
- Season: Sprinkle in the dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir to distribute the herbs and seasoning throughout the mixture.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for about 20 minutes or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
- Rest: Remove the pan from heat and allow it to sit covered for 5 minutes to let the flavors meld and the rice to finish cooking.
- Fluff and Serve: Use a fork to fluff the rice and chicken mixture gently, then serve hot for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Notes
- Use long-grain white rice or jasmine rice for best texture.
- For a citrus twist, add extra lemon zest or a splash of lemon juice before serving.
- To make it gluten free, ensure your chicken broth is certified gluten free.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
- If you prefer, substitute chicken fillets with thighs for a juicier result.
Keywords: Lemon Herb Chicken, Chicken and Rice, One-pot meal, Easy dinner, Family recipe, Chicken breast, Herbed rice
