One-Pot Lemon Chicken Rice with Broccoli
A simple one-pot dish featuring tender chicken, fluffy rice, and steamed broccoli, all infused with the bright flavor of lemon. This asian-inspired one pot ready in about 40 minutes pairs chicken thighs, olive oil, lemon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. 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 "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
- 1 pound, boneless, skinless, cut into 1-inch pieces chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1, zested and juiced lemon
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- to taste salt
- to taste freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon, chopped fresh parsley
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound chicken pieces and cook for 5 minutes until browned on all sides.
- Step 2: Stir in 1 lemon zest, 1 lemon juice, 1 cup rice, and 2 cups chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and stir once to combine.
- Step 3: Cover the skillet, reduce heat to low, and cook for 18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 4: Add 2 cups broccoli florets and cook, covered, for 5 more minutes until broccoli is crisp-tender. Season with salt and pepper.
- Step 5: Garnish with 1 tablespoon chopped parsley before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Lemon Chicken Rice with Broccoli take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 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 One-Pot Lemon Chicken Rice with Broccoli?
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 chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Lemon Chicken Rice with Broccoli?
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 One-Pot Lemon Chicken Rice with Broccoli 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 One-Pot Lemon Chicken Rice with Broccoli?
Asian one pot 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
- ★★★★★
So simple and delicious! I made it for my kids and they devoured it. Will definitely make again.
- ★★★★★
My wife loved this recipe. The chicken was tender and the rice absorbed all the lemony broth.
- ★★★★★
This was a hit with my family! The lemon flavor was perfect and it was so easy to make in one pot.
