Description
This Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice recipe brings together tender marinated chicken and zesty lemon rice, creating a fresh and flavorful meal that’s perfect for dinner or meal prep. Easy to make and packed with Mediterranean-inspired flavors!
Ingredients
Scale
For the Chicken Marinade:
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Lemon Rice:
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (or basmati rice)
- 2 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, minced garlic, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken thighs or breasts and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours for more flavor.
- Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the rice and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is lightly toasted. Add the chicken broth, lemon zest, lemon juice, and salt. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15-18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Cook the Chicken: While the rice is cooking, heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Once cooked, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Assemble the Dish: Fluff the cooked rice with a fork and stir in any extra lemon juice, if desired. Serve the sliced chicken on top of the rice and garnish with chopped fresh parsley for added color and freshness.
Notes
- For a more vibrant flavor, you can add a drizzle of tzatziki sauce on top of the chicken and rice.
- If you prefer, you can substitute chicken breasts for thighs or use bone-in chicken for added flavor.
- This dish can be prepared in advance and stored in an airtight container for 3-4 days, making it great for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Pan-cooking, Grilling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of the recipe (about 1 chicken breast and 1/4 of the rice)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 80mg