Description

This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender, juicy chicken breasts cooked with fragrant herbs, zesty lemon, and fluffy long-grain white rice. The slow cooker method ensures an easy, hands-off cooking process that results in a cozy, satisfying dish perfect for any day of the week.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon olive oil

Rice Mixture

1 ½ cups long-grain white rice
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
2 teaspoons dried thyme
2 teaspoons dried oregano

Garnish

1 lemon, sliced
Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to infuse flavor throughout.
Sear the Chicken (optional): Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until nicely browned. This step adds depth of flavor but can be skipped. Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker.
Combine Rice and Broth: In a bowl, mix the uncooked rice, chicken broth, freshly squeezed lemon juice, dried thyme, and dried oregano until well combined.
Pour Mixture into Slow Cooker: Carefully pour the rice mixture over the chicken in the slow cooker, ensuring the rice is evenly distributed.
Add Lemon Slices: Arrange lemon slices on top of the rice to impart a fresh citrus aroma during cooking.
Set the Slow Cooker: Cover with the lid and cook on low heat for 6-7 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
Check for Doneness: About 30 minutes before serving, check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it has reached 165°F for safe consumption.
Fluff the Rice: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker, fluff the rice gently with a fork, and stir in additional seasonings if desired.
Serve: Shred the chicken or serve it whole over the rice and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish.

Notes

Searing the chicken before slow cooking is optional but enhances flavor and color.
Using fresh lemon juice provides a brighter citrus flavor compared to bottled juice.
This dish can be customized with additional vegetables like peas or carrots added to the rice mixture.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop or microwave.
Make sure to check the rice moisture towards the end of the cooking time and add a splash of broth if it looks dry.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 3 to 7 hours (depending on slow cooker setting)
Category: Main Course
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Slow Cooker Chicken, Lemon Herb Chicken, Chicken and Rice, Easy Dinner Recipe, One-Pot Meal