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Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice

  • Author: Ethan Brooks
  • Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice is a bright, cozy one-pot dinner with tender chicken, fluffy long-grain rice, and a buttery garlic-lemon herb sauce. Lemon zest and dried herbs simmer all day, then fresh lemon juice and parsley finish it perfectly. Great for meal prep, busy weeknights, and family dinners that feel fresh and comforting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lb bone-in skinless chicken thighs (or boneless thighs)
  • 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt (plus more to taste)
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried thyme (or Italian seasoning)
  • 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 3 tbsp butter (or 2 tbsp olive oil)
  • 1 tbsp lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
  • 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, divided
  • 1 1/2 cups long-grain white rice, rinsed and drained
  • 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill (optional)
  • Optional add-ins: 1 cup frozen peas (last 20 minutes), 2 cups baby spinach (stir in at end), grated Parmesan for serving

Instructions

  1. 1. Season chicken with salt, pepper, oregano, and thyme
  2. 2. Add onion and garlic to the slow cooker, then pour in broth and add butter and lemon zest
  3. 3. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice and nestle chicken into the liquid
  4. 4. Cover and cook on LOW 4–5 hours (or HIGH 2–3 hours) until chicken is tender
  5. 5. About 60–75 minutes before serving on LOW (or 45–60 minutes on HIGH), stir in rinsed rice
  6. 6. Cover and cook until rice is tender and most liquid is absorbed; avoid lifting the lid
  7. 7. Stir in remaining lemon juice, parsley, and optional dill; taste and adjust salt and pepper
  8. 8. Serve chicken over the lemon herb rice with a spoonful of pan juices; top with Parmesan if desired

Notes

  • Add rice near the end for fluffy texture; early addition can turn gummy
  • Rinse rice well to remove excess starch and prevent stickiness
  • Use thighs for the juiciest results; breasts can dry out if cooked too long
  • Lemon zest simmers well, but add most lemon juice at the end for brightness
  • If your slow cooker runs hot, start checking rice 10–15 minutes early
  • Too thick? Stir in a splash of hot broth before serving
  • Add peas in the last 20 minutes; stir in spinach right at the end to wilt
  • Leftovers reheat best with a splash of broth or water and a fresh squeeze of lemon
  • Freeze in portions up to 2 months; rice softens slightly but still tastes great
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 hours
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 780 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 41 g
  • Cholesterol: 155 mg

Keywords: Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice, crockpot chicken and rice, lemon herb chicken, slow cooker dinner, one pot meal, garlic lemon chicken, family dinner

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Find it online: https://www.myrecipely.com/slow-cooker-lemon-herb-chicken-and-rice/