Description
This Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice recipe features juicy, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs marinated with oregano, paprika, and red pepper flakes, seared to a golden crisp, then baked atop aromatic lemon-infused rice. Finished with fresh herbs and lemon zest, it’s a wholesome and flavorful Mediterranean dish perfect for a comforting family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken Marinade
- 5 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
Cooking
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- ¾ cup water
- 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ¾ tsp salt
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or oregano, chopped
- Fresh lemon zest
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, coat the chicken thighs evenly with dried oregano, paprika, salt, and red pepper flakes. Allow to marinate briefly to absorb the flavors.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5 minutes until the skin turns a golden brown. Flip and sear the other side for an additional 5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Cook the Aromatics: Using the same skillet, sauté the finely diced onion until it becomes translucent. Stir in the long-grain rice until the grains are fully coated with oil and slightly toasted.
- Add Liquids & Seasoning: Pour in the chicken broth, water, freshly squeezed lemon juice, dried oregano, and salt. Stir to combine thoroughly with the rice and onions.
- Combine: Place the seared chicken thighs on top of the rice mixture in the skillet, skin-side up. Cover the skillet tightly with a lid or aluminum foil.
- Bake: Transfer the covered skillet to a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C). Bake for 35 minutes, then remove the cover and bake for an additional 10 minutes to crisp the chicken skin and finish cooking the rice.
- Rest & Garnish: Remove from the oven and let the dish rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or oregano and fresh lemon zest before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the chicken skin is dry before searing for the crispiest texture.
- You can substitute long-grain rice with basmati rice for a fragrant alternative.
- Adjust red pepper flakes to taste for spice preference.
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best bright flavor impact.
- This dish can be prepared in an oven-safe skillet or transferred to a baking dish after searing.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
