Description
This Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice is a vibrant and flavorful dish that comes together in just 30 minutes using one pot. Juicy, seasoned chicken thighs are cooked with fragrant lemon-infused rice, creating a complete and satisfying meal. Perfect for busy weeknights or a quick Mediterranean-inspired dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Chicken:
- 1 1/2 lbs (700g) chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Lemon Rice:
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh parsley or dill, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Chicken:
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season with oregano, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Sear the Chicken:
- Heat olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs, skin-side down, until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté the Aromatics:
- In the same skillet, add the onion and sauté until softened, about 3 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Cook the Rice:
- Add the rice to the skillet, stirring to coat it in the oil. Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, and oregano. Stir well.
- Combine and Simmer:
- Nestle the chicken thighs into the rice mixture. Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Garnish and Serve:
- Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley or dill and serve hot.
Notes
- Use boneless chicken thighs for faster cooking, but reduce cooking time accordingly.
- For a richer flavor, add a pinch of saffron to the rice.
- This dish pairs well with a side of Greek salad or tzatziki sauce.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 120mg