Description
A comforting, easy-to-make meal that requires minimal effort, with tender chicken, flavorful rice, and a zesty lemon herb sauce.
Ingredients
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4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (or breasts)
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1 cup long-grain white rice (or brown rice for added fiber)
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2 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth
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2 tbsp olive oil
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Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
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1 tsp dried thyme
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1 tsp dried oregano
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½ tsp garlic powder
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½ tsp onion powder
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Salt and black pepper to taste
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 cup frozen peas or chopped spinach (optional)
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Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
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Sear the Chicken (Optional)
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs (or breasts) for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Set aside. -
Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker
In the slow cooker, combine chopped onion, minced garlic, rice, chicken broth, lemon juice and zest, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir well to combine. -
Add Chicken
Place the seared chicken on top of the rice mixture. Spoon some of the liquid over the chicken to keep it moist while cooking. -
Cook on Low or High
Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender. -
Add Vegetables (Optional)
If using peas or spinach, stir them in 20 minutes before the cooking time is up.
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Finish & Serve
Once cooked, fluff the rice with a fork, and adjust seasoning to taste. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
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Substitute Options:
Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version. You can also swap chicken for tofu or chickpeas for a plant-based meal.
For gluten-free, ensure the broth and rice are certified gluten-free. -
Lemon Boost:
If you love lemon, add a few lemon slices on top of the chicken before cooking for an even more aromatic experience.
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Cooking Tip:
If using brown rice, you may need extra liquid and an additional hour of cooking time. Increase broth by ½ cup and cook on LOW for 6-7 hours.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4-5 hours on LOW or 2-3 hours on HIGH
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: Slow Cooker, Lemon Herb, Chicken and Rice, Healthy Meal, Easy Recipe