Lemon Herb Chicken Rice: Easy One-Pan Comfort Meal (Print Version)

Lemon Herb Chicken Rice: your new favorite easy one-pan meal! Enjoy tender chicken, zesty lemon, and fragrant herbs for a delicious weeknight dinner.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American Comfort
Dietary: Dairy-free (if broth is dairy-free), Nut-free, Egg-free

# Ingredients:

→ Main Players

01 - 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
02 - 1.5 cups long-grain white rice (e.g., Basmati, Jasmine)
03 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
04 - 1 large lemon

→ Flavor Boosters & Aromatics

05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
06 - 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
07 - 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 1 tsp dried thyme
09 - 1 tsp dried rosemary
10 - 1 tsp dried oregano
11 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Finishing Touches

12 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
13 - Lemon wedges, for serving

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, pat your chicken thighs super dry with paper towels. This is where I always forget, and then I get sad, steamed chicken instead of beautifully seared! Season them generously with salt and pepper. Heat your olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet (with a lid!) over medium-high heat. Once it’s shimmering, carefully add the chicken and sear for about 3-4 minutes per side, until it’s beautifully golden brown. Don't cook it through, just get that gorgeous color! Remove the chicken and set it aside on a plate; it’ll finish cooking with the rice. My kitchen always smells so promising at this stage!
02 - Reduce the heat to medium. Add the chopped onion to the same skillet, stirring and scraping up any browned bits from the chicken (that's pure flavor, hon!). Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the onion softens. Now, toss in your minced garlic and dried herbs. Stir constantly for about a minute until fragrant – oh, the smells! This is where the magic really starts for our Lemon Herb Chicken Rice. Just be careful not to burn the garlic; I've done that, and it's not a flavor you want, trust me!
03 - Add the rinsed rice to the skillet with the aromatics. Stir it around for a minute or two, letting it get lightly toasted. This step, I swear, makes the rice so much better! Pour in the chicken broth and add the lemon zest (remember, zest first!). Stir everything together, making sure to scrape the bottom one last time to get all those tasty bits. Bring it to a gentle simmer. This is where you can almost feel the warmth spreading through your kitchen.
04 - Carefully nestle the seared chicken thighs back into the rice mixture in the skillet. Make sure they’re partially submerged. Season with a little more salt and pepper, if you feel it needs it. Cover the skillet tightly with its lid (or foil if you don't have a lid that fits perfectly). Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 20-25 minutes. Honestly, resist the urge to peek! That steam is crucial for perfectly cooked rice and juicy chicken in your Lemon Herb Chicken Rice.
05 - Once the cooking time is up, turn off the heat but keep the lid on! Let the skillet rest for another 5-10 minutes. This resting period is so important for the rice to absorb all the liquid and become fluffy. If you skip this, your rice might be a bit wet – oops! After resting, remove the lid and gently fluff the Lemon Herb Chicken Rice with a fork. You’ll see how everything has come together beautifully, chicken tender and rice perfectly cooked.
06 - Squeeze the fresh juice from your lemon over the entire dish. Stir in the fresh chopped parsley. Give it a final taste and adjust any seasonings if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with those extra lemon wedges. The vibrant color of the parsley and the bright citrus scent just make this Lemon Herb Chicken Rice irresistible. It’s comforting, it’s flavorful, and it tastes like pure home. Enjoy all your hard work, friend!

# Notes:

01 - Don't peek! Seriously, resist the urge to lift the lid while the rice is cooking. That steam is magic!
02 - Leftovers are gold, but store the chicken and rice separately if you can for best texture.
03 - No chicken thighs? Boneless breasts work, but reduce cooking time or they'll be dry.
04 - A dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream on top? Trust me on this one, it's a game changer!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large oven-safe skillet with lid
02 - cutting board
03 - sharp knife
04 - grater/zester

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 550
Total Fat: 25g
Total Carbohydrate: 45g
Protein: 35g

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