One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken and Rice
A complete meal cooked in a single pot with tender chicken, fluffy rice, and bright lemon-garlic flavor—. This american-inspired one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs chicken thighs, olive oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 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
- 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 lemon
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Add 1.5 lbs chicken thigh pieces and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown on all sides.
- Step 3: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant and lightly golden.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 cup long-grain rice, 2 cups chicken broth, 1 lemon zested and juiced, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Step 5: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Step 6: Remove from heat, let rest covered for 5 minutes, then fluff with a fork and stir in 1/4 cup chopped parsley.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken and Rice take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 Garlic Chicken and 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 chicken thighs from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken and 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 One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken and 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 One-Pot Lemon Garlic Chicken and Rice?
American 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
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
