This is a truly easy and delicious lemon chicken and rice dinner. Love the intense flavor and a one pan clean up! A simple combination of lemon, garlic and butter season both the chicken and rice, which are cooked together in one pan and then topped with lemon slices for a bright splash of color and flavor. The key is to cut the lemon rounds thick enough, so they can retain their shape.

I love one pot chicken and rices recipes such as this simple Instant Pot Chicken and Rice. Ever since I made my homemade Chicken with Garlic Parmesan Rice, I’ve been obsessed with finding new and easy ways to use make tasty chicken and rice! This recipe fits the bill – so quick and easy to make for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Lemon chicken and rice recipe is easily adjustable for a larger batch: Add 3-4 drumsticks (about 1 ½ pounds) to the chicken thighs, increase the butter by 1 tablespoon and adjust seasonings as needed.
This easy chicken and rice is one of my favorite recipes because it’s a one pot meal. It’s comforting, family-friendly and healthy. All you need to round out the meal is a green salad or another fresh fruit or veggie. Everyone will be happy, and you’ll be so glad you found this quick dinner recipe to add to your rotation!
Garnish the chicken and vegetables with the cheese and the remaining parsley, and serve with the lemon wedges.
Garnish the chicken and vegetables with the cheese and the remaining parsley, and serve with the lemon wedges.
More delicious chicken dinner ideas
- Herb Roasted Chicken in Creamy White Wine Sauce
- Italian Chicken Pasta in Creamy White Wine Parmesan Sauce
- Chicken and Mushroom Pasta in Madeira Wine Sauce
- Seared Chicken Pasta in Chardonnay Wine Sauce
Lemon Chicken and Rice
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 4 chicken thighs, (skin on, bone in)
- Salt and pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 lemon, sliced
Rice
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup white rice, (uncooked)
- 2 ¼ cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Parsley , (for garnish)
Instructions
Chicken
- Season chicken with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Heat the skillet on medium high heat and add butter to the preheated skillet. Once melted, add seasoned chicken to the skillet and brown it for 5 minutes on each side on medium high heat.
- Remove chicken and add lemons to the pan. Sear them only a little, until the juices are released. Remove lemons from the pan as well.
Rice
- To the same skillet, add chopped onion and garlic and cook until slightly translucent.
- Add the rice, chicken broth, garlic powder, salt and Italian seasoning to the skillet over medium heat and use a wooden spoon to scrape the browned bits from the pan. Let rice come to a small boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Place the chicken on top of the rice, cover with lid and let cook an additional 20 to 25 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Make sure to check the chicken for doneness by cutting. Chicken should be cooked through at the very end of simmering process.
- Turn off the heat. Stir the rice really well and garnish with lemons. Let it sit for about 5 minutes with a lid closed. Garnish with parsley.
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy only. This information comes from online calculators. Although whatsinthepan.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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I made it several times already. Will try with brown rice next.