Description
Mediterranean comfort converges in this Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice, blending zesty citrus with tender herb-infused chicken. Succulent flavors dance across your plate, inviting pure culinary pleasure with each memorable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
Liquids and Oils:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (about 1 large lemon)
- 2 cups chicken broth
Additional Ingredients:
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (or basmati)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
Garnish:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Infuse chicken with a vibrant medley of Mediterranean flavors by combining olive oil, lemon juice, crushed garlic, fragrant oregano, earthy thyme, salt, and pepper. Thoroughly coat the chicken and allow it to marinate, developing rich flavors for 30 minutes to 4 hours in the refrigerator.
- Heat the oven to 375F (190C). Warm olive oil in a robust ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place marinated chicken pieces, creating a golden-brown crust by searing each side for 3-4 minutes. Transfer chicken to a separate plate, preserving the skillet’s flavorful remnants.
- Within the same skillet, gently sauté finely chopped onions until translucent and softened. Introduce rice, stirring continuously to toast and release its nutty essence.
- Enhance the rice with chicken broth, additional lemon juice, bright lemon zest, oregano, and seasoning. Blend ingredients thoroughly, creating a fragrant base for the chicken.
- Gently nestle seared chicken pieces atop the aromatic rice mixture. Securely cover the skillet with aluminum foil, allowing the dish to bake for 25-30 minutes until rice reaches perfect tenderness and chicken achieves a safe internal temperature of 165F.
- After removing from the oven, let the dish rest for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld. Delicately fluff rice with a fork, garnish with freshly chopped parsley, and serve alongside zesty lemon wedges for an extra burst of citrus.
Notes
- Customize marinade intensity by adjusting garlic and herbs according to personal taste preferences.
- For extra zesty flavor, add extra lemon zest directly into rice mixture before baking.
- Ensure chicken remains juicy by using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs which retain moisture better than chicken breasts.
- Transform recipe into gluten-free version by confirming chicken broth is certified gluten-free and using appropriate ingredients.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 750 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 52 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg