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One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken Rice

One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken Rice
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A flavorful and easy one pot meal featuring tender boneless, skinless chicken thighs cooked with aromatic herbs, zesty lemon, and fluffy long grain white rice. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners, this dish offers bright citrus notes, fresh herbs, and comforting textures all made in a single pot for minimal cleanup and maximum deliciousness.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

Rice and Aromatics

  • 1 cup long grain white rice
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

Liquids and Flavorings

  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 1/2 cups chicken broth or stock
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and chopped fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, oregano). Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and sear the chicken until golden brown on both sides. This step locks in juices and builds a flavorful base for the dish.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside. In the same pot, add chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until onions are translucent and fragrant to create the savory foundation.
  3. Add Rice and Liquids: Pour in the rice and stir to coat it evenly with the aromatic oil and onions. Add lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh herbs, and chicken broth to the pot. Stir gently to combine everything evenly.
  4. Simmer with Chicken: Return the seared chicken pieces to the pot, nestling them into the rice mixture. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and let simmer on low heat for about 20 minutes, or until the rice absorbs the liquid and the chicken is fully cooked.
  5. Rest and Fluff: Turn off the heat and let the pot sit covered for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld and the rice to finish cooking. Finally, fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving.

Notes

  • Use bone-in chicken thighs for more flavor and juiciness.
  • Don’t skip lemon zest to intensify the lemon flavor without adding acidity.
  • Toast the rice briefly with aromatics before adding liquid to improve nuttiness and texture.
  • Keep the pot covered during cooking to maintain steam for fluffy rice.
  • Adjust broth quantity slightly depending on your rice type for perfect doneness.

Nutrition

Keywords: one pot chicken rice, lemon herb chicken, quick chicken dinner, easy one pot meal, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://dishesbylina.com/one-pot-lemon-herb-chicken-rice/