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Recipe by:

Elena SMITH

One-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice

Easily create a comforting One-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice by searing chicken thighs, sautéing aromatic vegetables, cooking the rice in flavorful broth, and finishing with peas and parsley.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Group: Ingredients
  • 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 piece lemon, juiced and zested
  • 1 tsp. dried thyme
  • 1 tsp. dried oregano
  • to taste fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Equipment

  • Dutch oven

Method
 

  1. Start by heating the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the chicken thighs generously with salt and black pepper. Once the oil shimmers, add the chicken, searing it for about 5-7 minutes on each side until beautifully golden brown.
  2. With the chicken resting, lower the heat to medium. Toss in the diced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and sauté for an additional minute until fragrant.
  3. Stir in the rice, ensuring each grain gets a touch of the fragrant oil, and continue cooking for about 2 minutes until the rice begins to turn translucent.
  4. Pour in the chicken broth, lemon juice, and zest. Sprinkle in the dry thyme and oregano, stirring everything together. Nestle the chicken back into the pot.
  5. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover. Let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
  6. Once the rice is fluffy, stir in the green peas and allow them to warm through for an extra 3-4 minutes.
  7. Fluff the rice with a fork, and sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Testing this recipe reminded me how crucial it is to maintain balance in flavors, especially when using bright ingredients like lemon.