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Easy Greek Chicken with Lemon Rice

Featured in: Quick and Satisfying Dinner Solutions for Busy Weeknights

This one-pot Greek Chicken with Lemon Rice serves up a delicious blend of tangy citrus flavors, hearty chicken thighs seasoned with paprika and oregano, and fluffy lemon rice. Toss in bright tomatoes, leafy spinach, and protein-packed chickpeas, then top it all off with herby crumbled feta cheese. Super easy to make and perfect for a balanced, flavorful dinner, with minimal cleanup afterward.
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Updated on Thu, 06 Mar 2025 16:53:02 GMT
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Greek Chicken with Lemon Rice | yummygusto.com

Experience the essence of Mediterranean cuisine with this one-pot Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice. This satisfying dish combines tender, juicy chicken with fragrant rice infused with bright citrus notes. The addition of fresh vegetables and herbs creates a complete meal that brings authentic Greek flavors straight to your kitchen.

This crowd-pleasing recipe consistently delivers restaurant-quality results. The combination of tender chicken, perfectly cooked rice, and Mediterranean ingredients creates an impressive yet achievable meal.

Key Ingredients

  • Chicken thighs: Dark meat provides rich flavor and stays moist during cooking. Choose uniform sizes for even results.
  • Fresh lemons: Both zest and juice add bright, authentic flavor. Select firm, fragrant fruit.
  • Basmati rice: Long grains stay fluffy and separate while soaking up flavors beautifully.
  • Extra virgin olive oil: Creates the flavor foundation. Use a good quality oil for best results.
  • Fresh herbs: Oregano and parsley bring classic Greek flavors and color.

Cooking Method

Prepare the Pan:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Cook the Chicken:
Season thighs with salt, pepper and paprika. Sear until golden brown, about 5-6 minutes per side.
Add Aromatics:
Incorporate garlic, lemon zest and oregano until fragrant.
Cook the Rice:
Add rice, broth and lemon juice. Bring to simmer, then cover and cook until tender.
Easy Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice Pin it
Easy Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice | yummygusto.com

The Perfect Rice Technique

The secret to perfectly fluffy rice lies in the proper liquid ratio and cooking time. Let the rice rest covered for 5-10 minutes after cooking to achieve ideal texture and allow flavors to fully develop.

Serving Suggestions

Complete your Mediterranean feast with a crisp Greek salad, warm pita bread, and cooling tzatziki sauce. A sprinkle of crumbled feta cheese and fresh herbs adds the perfect finishing touch.

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. When reheating, add a splash of water or broth to maintain moisture. The flavors often intensify overnight, making this dish excellent for meal prep.

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Close-up Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice Recipe | yummygusto.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can chicken breasts be used instead of thighs?
Of course! Just adjust the cooking time to roughly 4 minutes on each side to make sure they stay juicy.
→ Is there a way to make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Just leave out the feta or swap it with a non-dairy alternative. It'll still taste great.
→ Can I prepare this ahead of time?
You can pre-cook the rice and prep the other ingredients, but for the best results, cook the chicken fresh and put everything together right before eating.
→ What kind of rice works best here?
Jasmine rice is ideal, but you can go with any long-grain white rice for this recipe.
→ Can I add different vegetables?
Absolutely! Bell peppers, zucchini, or yellow squash would be great choices. Just cook them along with the tomatoes.

Easy Greek Chicken with Lemon Rice

Enjoy tender chicken paired with zesty lemon rice and fresh veggies in this fuss-free Greek-inspired dinner, all made in one pot.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Sandra

Category: Weeknight Dinners

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Greek

Yield: 4 Servings

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ For the Chicken

01 1 teaspoon ground paprika
02 1 teaspoon dried oregano
03 1½ pounds boneless chicken thighs (no skin)
04 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 ¼ teaspoon of chili flakes for a hint of spice
06 ¼ teaspoon of plain salt

→ For the Lemony Rice

07 A 15-ounce can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
08 2 cups of jasmine rice (already cooked)
09 About 5 ounces of fresh spinach, chopped coarsely
10 8 ounces of grape tomatoes sliced into halves
11 1 tablespoon olive oil
12 1 teaspoon dried oregano
13 3 tablespoons of squeezed lemon juice
14 ¼ teaspoon salt
15 5 finely chopped garlic cloves

→ For the Feta Topping

16 6 ounces of feta cheese, cut into tiny blocks
17 1 tablespoon regular olive oil
18 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano, and more for sprinkling over later
19 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
20 ¼ teaspoon dry oregano leaves

Instructions

Step 01

Coat your chicken thighs all over with the mix of paprika, oregano, salt, and chili flakes. Make sure it's even.

Step 02

Warm up a big pan on medium heat for a couple of minutes. Drizzle in the olive oil, and sear the thighs for about 5 minutes each side until golden and fully cooked through (internal temp should read 165°F). Once done, set aside.

Step 03

Without washing the pan, toss in half the halved grape tomatoes, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and oregano. Stir it gently and wait until the tomatoes soften, about 2 minutes.

Step 04

Mix in your spinach, letting it shrink down as it cooks. Add in the rice that's been cooked along with the chickpeas. Squeeze in the lemon juice and throw in the rest of the tomatoes. Stir well and heat everything until it’s warmed all through.

Step 05

In a separate bowl, combine the feta cubes with a drizzle of olive oil, oregano, and lemon juice. Toss until all the feta is coated in the herby liquid.

Step 06

Mix half of your herbed feta into the warm rice mixture, place the chicken back on top, and heat it all together. Scatter the remaining feta and garnish with fresh oregano. Add a pinch of salt and pepper if needed to taste.

Notes

  1. Watch your heat when cooking the chicken. If it feels like it's too hot, lower the flame so you don't lose the flavorful juices.
  2. For extra zing, add some lemon zest into the rice as you're mixing it with the juice.
  3. To skip dairy, opt out of the feta or use a favorite non-dairy substitute instead.

Tools You'll Need

  • A roomy, deep frying pan—something like cast iron or stainless steel works best.
  • A meat thermometer for checking doneness.
  • A mixing bowl or two for tossing ingredients together.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • This dish includes dairy (feta cheese).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 755
  • Total Fat: 34 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 62 g
  • Protein: 53 g