Herb-Crusted Chicken with Dill Rice
Juicy chicken breasts glazed with a dill-infused butter sauce, served over fluffy dill rice for a fragrant, comforting dinner. This french-inspired quick meals ready in about 65 minutes pairs (6 oz/170 g each) chicken breasts, uncooked long grain rice, chopped dill for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 (6 oz/170 g each) chicken breasts
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked long grain rice
- 2 tbsp, chopped dill
- 4 tbsp (57 g) butter
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1 small, zested and juiced lemon
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, mix rice, 1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp dill, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper. Spread in a greased baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes.
- Step 2: In a skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Sear skin-side down for 5 minutes, then flip and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden.
- Step 3: Top chicken with remaining 1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp lemon zest, and 1 tbsp dill. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Herb-Crusted Chicken with Dill Rice take to make?
Total time is about 65 minutes (25 min prep + 40 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Herb-Crusted Chicken with Dill Rice?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep uncooked long grain rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Herb-Crusted Chicken with Dill Rice?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Herb-Crusted Chicken with Dill Rice for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Herb-Crusted Chicken with Dill Rice?
French quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
The step-by-step instructions were super clear. Turned out perfect on my first try.
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★★
I've tried many quick meals recipes and this is hands down the best.
