One-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken with Rice
A simple, aromatic one-pot meal featuring tender chicken in a bright lemon-herb sauce—served over fluffy rice to create a dinner that’s both appealing to picky eaters and effortless for busy parents. This mediterranean-inspired kid friendly ready in about 35 minutes pairs chicken breasts, long-grain white rice, chicken broth for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 340 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 breasts
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat; season 1.5 lbs chicken breasts (cut into 1-inch pieces) with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Add chicken to the pot and cook 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown; remove and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 2 minced garlic cloves to the pot and cook 30 seconds until fragrant, then stir in 1 cup rice and cook 1 minute until lightly toasted.
- Step 4: Return chicken to the pot, add 2 cups chicken broth, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp dried thyme, and 1/2 tsp dried rosemary; stir to combine.
- Step 5: Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low, cover, and cook 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed; fluff rice with a fork, sprinkle with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does One-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken with 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 Herb Chicken with 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 breasts from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken with 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 Herb Chicken with 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 Herb Chicken with Rice?
Mediterranean kid friendly 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
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
My family liked it. I personally would prefer more depth of flavor.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
