One-Pot Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice –Ready in 30 Minutes!
This Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice is a one-pot, 30-minute meal bursting with Mediterranean flavors. Juicy, golden-browned chicken is cooked with fragrant garlic, oregano, and warm spices, then nestled into perfectly seasoned lemon rice. The result? A comforting, restaurant-quality dish that's both simple and deeply flavorful.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- ✅ 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs (or drumsticks/bone-in breasts)
- ✅ 1 tsp salt
- ✅ ½ tsp black pepper
- ✅ 1 tsp dried oregano
- ✅ ½ tsp paprika
- ✅ ½ tsp ground cumin
- ✅ 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
For the Rice:
- ✅ 1 cup long-grain white rice basmati or jasmine
- ✅ ½ small onion finely chopped
- ✅ 2 cloves garlic minced
- ✅ 2 cups chicken broth low-sodium preferred
- ✅ 1 large lemon juiced (about ¼ cup)
- ✅ 1 tsp salt
- ✅ ¼ tsp black pepper
For Garnish:
- ✅ Fresh parsley chopped
- ✅ Lemon zest optional, for extra citrus flavor
Instructions
Step 1: Sear the Chicken
- 1️⃣ Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt, pepper, oregano, paprika, and cumin.
- 2️⃣ Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- 3️⃣ Sear the chicken skin-side down for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 3 minutes.
- 4️⃣ Remove from the pan and set aside (it will finish cooking with the rice).
Step 2: Build the Flavor Base
- 1️⃣ In the same pan, sauté onions for 2-3 minutes until soft.
- 2️⃣ Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 3️⃣ Stir in the rice and let it toast lightly in the olive oil for extra flavor.
Step 3: Simmer Everything Together
- 1️⃣ Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up browned bits.
- 2️⃣ Return the seared chicken on top of the rice.
- 3️⃣ Cover and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes until the rice is fluffy and the chicken is fully cooked.
Step 4: Rest & Serve
- 1️⃣ Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes to absorb remaining liquid.
- 2️⃣ Fluff the rice with a fork and garnish with fresh parsley and lemon zest.
- 3️⃣ Serve immediately and enjoy!
Helpful Tips & Tricks
- 💡 Want crispier chicken? Sear it properly before simmering, and avoid moving it too much in the pan.
- 💡 Rice not cooking evenly? Keep the lid on tight to trap steam. Add a splash of broth if needed.
- 💡 Love extra lemon flavor? Stir in more lemon juice at the end for a fresh, tangy punch.
- 💡 Meal prepping? This dish reheats beautifully! Just add a splash of broth when warming up.
Substitutions & Variations
- ➡️ Make it vegetarian: Swap chicken for chickpeas or tofu and use vegetable broth.
- ➡️ Add more veggies: Stir in spinach, roasted red peppers, or artichokes for extra texture.
- ➡️ Prefer a spicier kick? Add red pepper flakes for some heat.