If you love cozy, flavorful dinners that feel special but require hardly any work, this Greek chicken and lemon rice is about to become your new favorite one-pot meal. It’s bright, garlicky, comforting, and packed with the Mediterranean flavors we all crave — all made in one pot with minimal cleanup.

This dish is the perfect blend of juicy, seasoned chicken and fluffy lemony rice that absorbs every bit of delicious flavor. It’s simple enough for a weeknight, yet impressive enough for guests.

Let’s make it.

What Makes Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice So Good?

This recipe is incredibly popular because it’s:

A true one-pot meal
Naturally flavorful (lemon + garlic + oregano = unbeatable)
Easy to customize with veggies
Budget-friendly
Meal-prep friendly
Ready with basic pantry ingredients

If you want a comforting dinner without fuss, this is exactly the dish to keep on rotation.

Ingredients You Need for Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice

For the Chicken

4 chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper

For the One-Pot Lemon Rice

1 cup long-grain rice (rinsed)
1 ½ cups chicken broth
Juice of 1 large lemon
Zest of 1 lemon
3–4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp butter or olive oil
½ tsp oregano
Salt + pepper to taste

Optional Add-Ins:

Sliced onions
Cherry tomatoes
Spinach
Kalamata olives
Fresh dill or parsley

Step-by-Step: How to Make Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice

1. Season and Sear the Chicken

Pat chicken dry.
Coat with olive oil, oregano, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper.
Heat a pot or Dutch oven.
Sear chicken skin-side down until golden (3–4 minutes).
Flip and cook another 2–3 minutes.
Remove chicken and set aside.

Why this matters: Browning adds deep flavor to the rice later.

2. Build the Lemon Rice Base

In the same pot, melt butter or add olive oil.
Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
Add rinsed rice and stir to coat.
Add lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken broth.
Season with oregano, salt, and pepper.

The rice will smell amazing — bright and buttery at the same time.

3. Add Chicken Back On Top

Place seared chicken directly on the lemon rice.

This lets the juices drip down into the rice as everything cooks together.

4. Simmer to Perfection

Cover the pot.
Cook on low heat for 15–20 minutes.
Turn off heat and let sit (still covered) for 5 minutes.

The rice becomes tender and infused with lemony broth, garlic, and chicken drippings. Pure magic.

5. Fluff & Serve

Once ready:

Fluff the rice
Add chopped parsley or dill
Squeeze extra lemon on top
Add olives or tomatoes if you like

Serve directly from the pot — it’s rustic, beautiful, and effortless.

Tips for the Best Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice

Use chicken thighs over breasts

They stay juicy and tender, even with longer cook times.

Rinse your rice

Removes starch → prevents sticky rice.

Don’t skip lemon zest

It adds brightness without sourness.

Add veggies to make it a full meal

Cherry tomatoes, spinach, zucchini, or onions all work beautifully.

Make it creamy

Stir in 1 tablespoon of butter after cooking for richer rice.

Variations You’ll Love

Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice with Veggies

Add chopped spinach, carrots, or zucchini in the final 5 minutes.

Spicy Greek Lemon Chicken Rice

Add red pepper flakes or cayenne to the chicken seasoning.

Dill & Feta Upgrade

Top with crumbled feta, dill, and olives for a taverna-style twist.

Meal Prep & Storage

Fridge:

Store for 3–4 days in an airtight container.

Freezer:

Freeze for up to 2 months (preferably without lemon slices).

Reheat:

Warm with a splash of broth or water to rehydrate rice.

What to Serve with Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice

Tzatziki sauce
Greek salad
Roasted veggies
Warm pita
Hummus

This one-pot meal is complete on its own, but these sides make it feel restaurant-ready.

FAQs About Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice

1. Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?
Yes, but reduce cooking time so they don’t dry out.

2. What type of rice works best for this recipe?
Long-grain white rice is ideal. Brown rice requires longer cook time and extra broth.

3. Can I make this with boneless chicken?
Absolutely. Boneless cooks faster and is easier to serve.

4. Why is my rice mushy or sticky?
You may have added too much liquid, or the rice wasn’t rinsed before cooking.

5. Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes — simply replace butter with olive oil.

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How to Make Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice (One-Pot, Easy & Flavor-Packed)