One-Pot Creamy Lemon Chicken and Rice
A simple, flavorful meal with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a bright lemon-herb sauce, all cooked in one pot. This American one-pot recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, white rice, and chicken broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner. Each serving lands at about 450 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 "Build a week of meals around this recipe" 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
- 1 lb chicken thighs
- 1 cup white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 1 lb chicken thighs dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken for 4 minutes per side until golden brown. Transfer to a plate.
- Step 2: Add 2 tbsp butter to the skillet, then stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Add 1 cup white rice and stir to coat, cooking for 2 minutes until rice is lightly toasted.
- Step 3: Pour in 2 cups chicken broth and 1/4 cup lemon juice, then bring to a simmer. Add 1 tsp dried parsley, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, and the lemon zest, stirring to combine.
- Step 4: Return the seared chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the rice. Cover tightly and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes until rice is tender and chicken is cooked through.
- Step 5: Remove the lid and let the pot sit for 5 minutes to absorb any excess liquid. Discard any excess liquid if needed.
- Step 6: Gently fluff the rice with a fork, then garnish with additional lemon zest and fresh parsley. Serve immediately.








