For this recipe we use long-grain rice, tender chicken, and a beautiful blend of lemon zest, Parmesan cheese, and classic Mediterranean spices like oregano and thyme. The result is a wonderfully creamy, rich, and tangy dish that tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen.
Whether you're after a quick weeknight dinner or craving a cozy chicken and rice dish, this lemon chicken and rice recipe is a total win!
It’s made with simple ingredients, comes together easily, and is hearty enough to feed the whole family.
For even more delicious chicken recipes, be sure to check out these chicken casseroles and this honey garlic chicken stir fry.
Ingredients for Lemon Chicken and Rice
You will need the following ingredients listed below to make this yummy dinner recipe (the exact measurements, nutrition information and full recipe are all in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post).
- Long-Grain Rice
- Chicken Breasts or Thighs
- Onion
- Garlic
- Olive Oil
- Butter
- Water or Chicken Broth
- Parmesan Cheese
- Lemon
- Paprika
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Salt and Pepper
- Parsley
How to Make Creamy Lemon Chicken and Rice
Prepare the rice:
- Rinse rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Set aside.
Cook the chicken:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium heat.
- Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until golden brown (about 5–6 minutes). Add half of the spices and cook for 30 seconds.
- Remove the chicken and set it aside.
Sauté aromatics:
- In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed.
- Add onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until soft.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the remaining dried spices and stir.
Add rice:
- Add the rinsed rice to the pan and stir to coat it with oil and aromatics.
Simmer:
- Pour in the fresh water or chicken broth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir gently, then bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low.
- Cover and cook for 15–18 minutes, or until rice is fluffy and liquid is absorbed.
- Add butter and Parmesan cheese and stir gently.
- Return the chicken to the pan.
Rest and serve:
- Turn off the heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork, taste, and adjust seasoning.
- Sprinkle with lemon zest and season with lemon juice.
Garnish with chopped parsley and an extra squeeze of lemon.
If you try this lemon chicken and rice recipe, let me know in the comments, I’d love to hear what you think!
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Creamy Lemon Chicken and Rice Recipe
Author: Recipe Idea Shop
Equipment
- Large Skillet
Ingredients
- 2 cups Long-Grain Rice (basmati or jasmine works best)
- 15 ounces Chicken breasts, or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 Medium Onion, finely chopped
- 2 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
- 2 tablespoon Butter
- 2 cups Fresh Water or Chicken Broth
- 1 cup Parmesan Cheese
- 1 Lemon, juice and zest
- ½ teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- ¼ teaspoon Dried Thyme
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- Fresh Parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Rinse rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Set aside.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet or cast-iron pan over medium heat.
- Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until golden brown (about 5–6 minutes). Add half of the spices and cook for 30 seconds.
- Remove the chicken and set it aside.
- In the same pan, add a little more oil if needed.
- Add onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until soft.
- Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the remaining dried spices and stir.
- Add the rinsed rice to the pan and stir to coat it with oil and aromatics.
- Pour in the fresh water or chicken broth. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Stir gently, then bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low.
- Cover and cook for 15–18 minutes, or until rice is fluffy and liquid is absorbed.
- Add butter and Parmesan cheese and stir gently.
- Return the chicken to the pan.
- Turn off the heat and let it sit covered for 5 minutes.
- Fluff the rice with a fork, taste, and adjust seasoning.
- Sprinkle with lemon zest and season with lemon juice.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and an extra squeeze of lemon.
