Description
This Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice recipe combines tender, seasoned chicken thighs with fragrant lemon-infused rice, cooked together in one pan for a simple yet flavorful meal. Perfect for a wholesome dinner, this dish balances savory herbs and zesty lemon for a bright, comforting Mediterranean-inspired flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Rice
- 2 cups rice
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 lemon, juiced
Instructions
- Season Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry and season evenly on both sides with garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper to infuse the meat with Mediterranean herbs and spices.
- Heat Olive Oil: Warm the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat until shimmering to prepare for sautéing the chicken.
- Brown Chicken: Add the seasoned chicken thighs to the pan and cook until golden brown on both sides, about 4-5 minutes per side, to lock in juices and develop flavor.
- Set Chicken Aside: Remove the browned chicken from the pan and set aside temporarily, keeping the flavorful oil in the pan for cooking the rice.
- Sauté Rice: Add the uncooked rice to the pan and stir for 2 minutes, to toast it slightly and coat each grain in the flavorful oil.
- Add Liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and freshly squeezed lemon juice, which will cook the rice and add a bright citrus aroma.
- Return Chicken: Nestle the browned chicken thighs back into the pan, partially submerged in the rice and broth mixture.
- Simmer Covered: Cover the pan and let everything simmer gently for 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through, absorbing all the flavorful broth.
- Fluff and Serve: Remove the lid, fluff the rice gently with a fork to separate the grains, and serve the chicken atop the lemon-infused rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for optimal flavor and moisture.
- If preferred, substitute rice with brown rice but increase cooking time accordingly.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt, depending on the saltiness of the chicken broth.
- Optional: garnish with fresh parsley or oregano for added freshness.
- Ensure the pan is well covered during simmering to evenly cook rice.
