Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Recipe
This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice recipe is a comforting, flavorful dish combining tender chicken breasts with aromatic herbs, fresh lemon juice, and perfectly cooked rice. Slow cooked to juicy perfection, it offers a hassle-free, wholesome meal that’s ideal for busy weeknights or cozy family dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 7 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasoning
- 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, ensuring each piece is well coated for optimal flavor.
- Sear the Chicken (optional): Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a nice golden-brown crust. This step adds extra flavor but can be skipped for convenience. Transfer the chicken to the slow cooker.
- Combine Rice and Broth: In a separate bowl, whisk together uncooked rice, chicken broth, freshly squeezed lemon juice, dried thyme, and oregano until well combined.
- Pour Mixture into Slow Cooker: Gently pour the rice mixture over the chicken breasts in the slow cooker, distributing it evenly.
- Add Lemon Slices: Place lemon slices on top of the rice and chicken to infuse a bright, citrus aroma during cooking.
- Set the Slow Cooker: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, allowing the chicken and rice to cook slowly and absorb all flavors.
- Check for Doneness: Approximately 30 minutes before serving, verify that the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure it’s fully cooked.
- Fluff the Rice: Once cooking is complete, carefully remove the chicken breasts. Fluff the rice gently with a fork and stir in any additional seasoning if desired.
- Serve: Serve the chicken breasts whole or shredded atop the bed of fluffy lemon herb rice, garnished generously with fresh chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
Notes
- Searing the chicken before slow cooking adds depth of flavor but can be omitted to save time.
- You can substitute long-grain white rice with jasmine or basmati rice for a different aroma.
- Adjust herbs and lemon juice quantity according to your taste preference for more or less citrusy flavor.
- Ensure the lid stays closed during cooking to maintain proper temperature and moisture.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, lemon herb chicken, slow cooker rice recipe, easy chicken dinner, lemon chicken slow cooker, chicken and rice slow cooker
