Description
Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice is a flavorful one-pan dish featuring tender, oven-baked chicken thighs seasoned with oregano and paprika, served on a bed of aromatic lemon-infused rice. This easy-to-make recipe combines Mediterranean herbs, zesty lemon, and perfectly cooked rice, delivering a comforting yet bright meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 5 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Rice and Broth
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 cup long-grain rice
- 1 ½ cups chicken broth
- ¾ cup water
- 3 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ¾ tsp salt
Garnish
- Fresh parsley or oregano, chopped
- Fresh lemon zest
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a large bowl, thoroughly coat the chicken thighs with dried oregano, paprika, salt, and red pepper flakes. Set aside to let the flavors infuse.
- Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5 minutes until golden brown. Flip and sear the other side for another 5 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
- Sauté onion and rice: In the same skillet, add the finely diced onion and cook until translucent, stirring frequently. Add the long-grain rice and stir to coat it evenly with the oil and onion mixture.
- Add liquids and seasonings: Pour in the chicken broth, water, freshly squeezed lemon juice, dried oregano, and salt. Stir to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Assemble and cover: Nestle the seared chicken thighs on top of the rice mixture, arranging them skin-side up. Cover the skillet with a lid or foil tightly to trap steam.
- Bake in the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the covered skillet to the oven and bake for 35 minutes. Then remove the cover and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes to crisp the chicken skin.
- Rest and garnish: Remove the skillet from the oven and allow the dish to rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or oregano and sprinkle fresh lemon zest over the top before serving.
Notes
- Using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs helps keep the meat juicy and flavorful.
- Searing the chicken before baking adds a crispy texture and deeper flavor.
- Make sure to cover the skillet tightly while baking to allow the rice to cook properly in the steam.
- You can substitute fresh oregano for dried if preferred, adjusting quantity accordingly.
- The resting period after baking allows the juices to redistribute for better taste and texture.
