Lemon Herb Chicken With Rice (Printer-Friendly)

Juicy lemon herb chicken slow-cooked with herbs, served over fluffy white rice for a hearty dinner.

# What You'll Need:

→ For the Chicken

01 - 4 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
02 - 1 teaspoon salt
03 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
05 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
06 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
07 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
09 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
10 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
11 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
12 - 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
13 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

→ For the Fluffy Rice

14 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
15 - 1 ¾ cups water or chicken broth
16 - ½ teaspoon salt
17 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

# How to Make It:

01 - Combine salt, black pepper, dried oregano, thyme, and basil. Rub the seasoning mixture evenly over all chicken thighs to coat thoroughly.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs and sear for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer browned chicken to the slow cooker.
03 - Scatter minced garlic, chopped onion, lemon zest, and lemon juice over the chicken in the slow cooker. Pour in the chicken broth and drizzle with honey if using.
04 - Cover and cook on high setting for 4 hours or low setting for 7 hours, until chicken is tender and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
05 - About 30 minutes before chicken finishes, combine rinsed rice, water or broth, salt, and butter in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
06 - Place fluffy rice on serving plates and top with chicken thighs. Spoon cooking juices over the chicken and rice. Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The chicken literally falls apart with a fork while staying incredibly juicy
  • Your kitchen smells like an Italian grandmother has been cooking all day
  • The lemon cuts through the richness making every bite feel balanced and bright
02 -
  • Browning the chicken takes ten minutes but creates a depth of flavor you cannot replicate any other way
  • Letting the rice rest covered for those five minutes is the difference between fluffy and gummy
  • The sauce will look thin but it absorbs beautifully into the rice
03 -
  • Use a microplane for the lemon zest to avoid the bitter white pith
  • If the sauce looks too thin, remove the chicken and reduce the juices on the stove

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