Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice for a Healthy Family Meal
Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice combines tender chicken, fluffy rice, fresh lemon, and aromatic herbs cooked slowly in savory broth. The result is a comforting one-pot meal with bright citrus flavor and satisfying texture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
2 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon lemon zest
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried parsley
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
Optional: ½ cup sliced carrots or peas
Instructions
1. Rinse rice under cool water and place it in the bottom of the slow cooker.
2. Pour chicken broth over the rice and stir gently.
3. Add garlic, olive oil, lemon zest, and half of the lemon juice to the mixture.
4. Season chicken with salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano.
5. Place chicken on top of the rice mixture.
6. Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours until rice is tender and chicken is fully cooked.
7. Stir remaining lemon juice into the rice near the end of cooking.
8. Rest the dish for five minutes before serving.
9. Slice or shred chicken slightly and serve over the lemon herb rice.
Notes
Fresh lemon zest greatly improves citrus aroma. Adding vegetables during cooking can create a more complete one-pot meal