One Pot Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice Recipe

If you adore rustic, sunshiney flavors and zero kitchen fuss, you are in for a treat with One Pot Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice. This recipe is pure comfort food, bursting with zesty brightness and savory herb aromas, all cozied up in a single skillet—weeknight dinner magic that brings Mediterranean flair right to your table!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe proves that you can achieve maximum flavor with just a handful of carefully chosen staples. Each ingredient in One Pot Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice has a starring role—bringing juicy tender chicken, fragrant rice, and that irresistible citrusy punch to every forkful.

• Chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on): The bones and skin add unbeatable flavor and succulence, but you can use boneless, skinless if you’d like a lighter version.
• Fresh lemon (zest and juice): The heart of this dish—lemon adds sparkling brightness and balances all the savory notes. Use both the zest and juice for full impact!
• Dried oregano: Essential to achieving those classic Greek flavors, lending depth and earthiness.
• Garlic cloves: Minced garlic infuses both the chicken and rice with a mouthwatering aroma and savory undertones.
• Salt and black pepper: Simple, but so important for bringing out every layer of taste and seasoning the rice all the way through.
• Olive oil: Used for searing and sautéing; choose a good quality extra-virgin olive oil for the richest results.
• Onion: Sautéed to sweetness, this creates a flavor base for the rice to soak up.
• Long grain rice: Each fluffy grain stays separate, absorbing all the delicious chicken broth and zesty marinade.
• Chicken broth and water: For steamy, tender rice that gets kissed with chicken essences as it cooks.
• Fresh parsley or oregano (for garnish): A sprinkle of herbs at the end makes both color and flavor pop.
• Extra lemon zest (for serving): I can’t recommend this enough—just a pinch of fresh zest at the table brings the whole dish alive!

Variations

One Pot Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice is endlessly adaptable—don’t hesitate to remix it using what’s in your fridge or tailor it to fit your diet. There’s plenty of room for creativity, so make it your own!

• Chicken swaps: Use boneless thighs for quicker cooking, or chicken breasts if you prefer lean meat (just bake them for less time to keep them juicy).
• Rice alternatives: Try basmati or jasmine for added fragrance, or even wild rice for a hearty twist. Brown rice works well, but give it extra time to cook.
• Herb twist: Mix in a little fresh dill, mint, or even basil for a Greek-inspired garden lift at the end.
• Add veggies: Toss in spinach, cherry tomatoes, or artichoke hearts before baking—the rice happily soaks up all their juices.
• Dairy finish: Crumble feta cheese and a dollop of Greek yogurt for a creamy, tangy upgrade just before serving.

How to Make One Pot Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Start by combining your chicken thighs, lemon zest and juice, dried oregano, minced garlic, and salt in a ziplock bag or bowl. Massage everything together to help the flavors seep into the chicken, then let it rest for at least 20 minutes (or up to overnight for the juiciest, most flavorful results!).

Step 2: Sear for Flavor

Once the chicken has marinated, heat a splash of olive oil in your deepest, heaviest skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken skin-side down until golden and crisp, then flip and brown the other side. Set the chicken aside, reserving the marinade for the next step.

Step 3: Build the Rice Base

Pour off the chicken fat (to avoid burning), then wipe out the pan to remove any blackened bits. Heat a bit more olive oil, add your finely diced onion, and sauté until soft and fragrant. Stir in the uncooked rice, chicken broth, water, oregano, salt, black pepper, and all that reserved marinade—this infuses the rice with maximum flavor!

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

Let the mixture come to a simmer on the stove, then nestle the seared chicken thighs on top. Cover with a tight-fitting lid (or foil if needed) and bake at 180°C/350°F for 35 minutes. Remove the lid, bake for 10 more minutes, and watch the rice turn wonderfully golden and tender as the chicken juices seep in.

Step 5: Rest and Garnish

Once everything looks golden and irresistible, let the pot rest for 5–10 minutes before serving. This gentle pause lets all the flavors settle into the rice. Finish with a generous sprinkle of chopped parsley, extra lemon zest, or even seared lemon slices for a beautiful presentation.

How to Serve One Pot Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice

Garnishes

A shower of freshly chopped parsley or oregano is the classic finishing touch—herby, bright, and so inviting. For extra zing, add a final hit of lemon zest or nestle some seared lemon slices around the chicken; it instantly livens up both the look and flavor of your dish.

Side Dishes

This hearty one-pot wonder hardly needs anything else, but it shines alongside a crisp Greek salad, cool tzatziki, or a platter of grilled vegetables. Warm pita bread or crusty sourdough are always welcome to help scoop up every last flavorful bite.

Creative Ways to Present

Bring the eye-candy with a scattered sprinkle of feta or colorful veggies (like roasted peppers or tomatoes). For a showstopping family meal, present the entire skillet at the table and let everyone dig in family-style—it’s as much a feast for the senses as for the appetite!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover One Pot Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice stores beautifully: cool completely, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to three days. The flavors actually deepen during this little rest, making tomorrow’s lunch seriously tempting!

Freezing

This dish freezes well—simply portion into airtight containers and freeze for up to two months. Defrost overnight in the fridge, and you’ll have a homemade, flavor-packed meal at the ready any time.

Reheating

To reheat, splash a little extra chicken broth or water over the rice and warm gently in a covered skillet or in the microwave. Stir occasionally to keep it fluffy and moist—the chicken will stay deliciously juicy and the rice just as dreamy as the day you made it.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been craving cozy flavors with a burst of sunny citrus, One Pot Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice is the dinnertime upgrade you deserve. Give it a try—you’ll fall in love with each bright, savory bite, and may never look at weeknight chicken the same way again!

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