Lemon Herb Chicken & Rice
This one-pan sear pairs lemony, oregano-forward chicken with fluffy rice for a bright, savory meal.
Ingredients
Sear Chicken
- Chicken breast (boneless, skinless), 200 g
- Lemon juice, 1/2 lemon (freshly squeezed)
- Salt, 1/4 tsp
- Paprika, 1 tsp
- Garlic powder, 1 tsp
- Oregano flakes, 1 tsp
- Olive oil, 1 tsp (for searing)
Lemon and herb rice sear
- Water, 2 cups (500 mL)
- Cooked rice, 160 g
- Onion, 1/2 medium (60 g), finely diced
- Garlic, 2 cloves, finely minced
- Lemon juice, 1/2 lemon (freshly squeezed)
- Oregano flakes, 1 1/2 tsp
- Paprika, 1 tsp
- Garlic powder, 1 tsp
- Fresh dill, finely chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
1. Sear the chicken
- Preheat a greased stainless steel pan or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat.
- Pat chicken thighs dry, then season with lemon juice, salt, paprika, garlic powder, and oregano.
- Sear for 8-10 minutes total, flipping halfway, until both sides are browned. Set aside.
2. Build the rice base
- In the same pan, add garlic and onions. Saute for 2-3 minutes until lightly browned.
- Add rinsed rice, seasonings, and lemon juice. Stir until the rice looks slightly dry and toasted.
3. Simmer and sear
- Lower heat to medium and add water. Stir once and let it come to a bubbly simmer for about 3 minutes.
- Nestle the seared chicken into the rice. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes, until the liquid is mostly absorbed.
4. Rest and serve
- Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for about 5 minutes so the rice steams and flavors meld.
- Garnish with fresh dill if using, then serve warm.
Chef's Notes
- Keep the heat steady so the rice cooks evenly without scorching.
- If your pan runs hot, add a splash of water near the end and rest a little longer.
Calories tracking
| Item | Serving | kcal | Fat (g) | Carb (g) | Prot (g) | Fiber (g) | Sug (g) | Chol (mg) | Sod. (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicken breast | 200 g | 330 | 7 | 0 | 62 | 0 | 0 | 165 | 120 |
| Cooked rice | 160 g | 205 | 0.5 | 45 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Water | 500 mL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Onion | 60 g | 25 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Garlic | 6 g | 10 | 0 | 2 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Lemon juice | 1/2 lemon | 5 | 0 | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | 0.5 | 0 | 1 |
| Olive oil (absorbed) | 1 tsp | 40 | 4.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Salt | 1/4 tsp | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 590 |
| Paprika | 2 tsp | 12 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 0 | 2 |
| Dried oregano | 2 1/2 tsp | 8 | 0.2 | 1.7 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Garlic powder | 2 tsp | 18 | 0 | 4.2 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0 | 22 |
| Total | 653 | 12.8 | 62.8 | 69.4 | 6.1 | 4.9 | 165 | 740 |