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Delicious Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Delight Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.3 from 20 reviews
  • Author: Melanie
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Delicious Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Delight is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal perfect for busy weeknights. Tender chicken breasts slowly simmer with aromatic herbs, garlic, and lemon zest, cooked together with fluffy long-grain rice in a slow cooker. The addition of peas adds a pop of color and sweetness, while fresh parsley garnish brightens the dish. Easy to prepare and wonderfully satisfying, this recipe combines simple ingredients into a harmonious, hearty dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Aromatics

  • 2 pounds chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing)
  • 1 medium onion (diced)
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)

Rice and Broth

  • 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
  • 4 cups chicken broth (for moisture)

Seasonings and Flavorings

  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (to taste)

Vegetables and Garnish

  • 1 cup frozen peas (for added color and sweetness)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Heat Olive Oil: Drizzle olive oil into a skillet over medium heat and let it warm up for about a minute to release a lovely aroma.
  2. Sauté Onions: Add diced onion to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened, translucent, and golden.
  3. Add Garlic: Stir in minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Transfer Aromatics: Place the cooked onion and garlic mixture at the bottom of the slow cooker to create a flavorful base.
  5. Add Chicken: Nestle the chicken breasts on top of the aromatics for maximum flavor absorption.
  6. Season Chicken: Sprinkle dried thyme, rosemary, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper evenly over the chicken.
  7. Add Rice: Pour uncooked rice evenly around the chicken in the slow cooker.
  8. Add Broth: Carefully add chicken broth over the chicken and rice, ensuring the rice is fully submerged.
  9. Add Lemon Juice: Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the entire mixture to brighten flavors.
  10. Cook Slowly: Cover and set the slow cooker to low for 3-4 hours or high for 1.5-2 hours until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
  11. Remove Chicken: Take out chicken breasts and let them cool slightly.
  12. Add Peas: Mix frozen peas into the rice and broth to warm through and add sweetness and color.
  13. Shred Chicken: Return chicken to the slow cooker, shredding or slicing it into bite-sized pieces and mixing everything together.
  14. Adjust Seasoning: Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  15. Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish for added freshness and color.
  16. Serve: Dish out the lemon herb chicken and rice hot, ensuring generous servings for everyone.

Notes

  • Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts for even cooking and easy shredding.
  • Make sure the rice is fully submerged in broth to prevent it from drying out.
  • Frozen peas add a sweet pop of color but can be substituted with green beans or carrots if preferred.
  • Adjust cooking time based on your slow cooker’s heat settings and chicken thickness.
  • Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the microwave.

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Find it online: https://flavorfestkitchen.com/delicious-slow-cooker-lemon-herb-chicken-and-rice-delight-recipe/