I want to say the star of this dish is the chicken. But that would be lying. Because this, my friends, is all about the RICE! People have said this One Pot Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice is the best chicken and rice recipe they’ve ever had (their words not mine!). I hope you feel the same when you try it!
This is a reader-favourite recipe included by popular demand in my debut cookbook “Dinner”!
Chicken and rice – elevated!
What makes this lemon rice so special, you might ask? Well, it’s like cooking the rice in triple strength chicken stock because the chicken is cooked ON TOP of the rice. So it gets the full benefit of all the juices from the chicken seeping into it while it cooks. Add the fresh flavours of lemon and boom! You will knock the socks off anyone you serve this too!
Big promises I know….but I have third party validation of this. Someone who always tells me the truth about my dishes. Especially “inventions” which I often pass on because I know I’ll get truthful feedback. I do love my friends dearly, but honestly, not everything I make them can be “OMG, this is so delicious!!” (Seriously, I love my friends, love them to bits!)
So in this particular case, her family raved about the rice so I’m just passing on that message. 🙂 (PS She was quick to point out that the chicken was lovely too, she just said that the STAR of the dish was the rice! I’m totally cool with that! 🙂 )
This is not an authentic Greek Chicken recipe (as far as I know!) but it is made using classic Greek ingredients. It uses the same technique I use for my One Pot Mexican Chicken and Rice. There’s nothing tricky or ground breaking, it’s just about getting the liquid to rice ratio right. Rice baked in the oven requires a lot more water than when it’s cooked on the stove. And when you plop chicken on top of the rice, it drops liquid so you need to take that into account.
To make this Greek Chicken recipe in one pot (well, pan – why do I keep writing “pot”??!), the chicken is seared in the pan first, then the rice is added, the chicken placed back on top then it’s popped in the oven. The magic happens while it’s baking. As the chicken cooks, all the juices seep into the rice which are soaked up by the rice and add incredible flavour. INCREDIBLE flavour. It honestly is like triple strength chicken stock.
And now, if you’ll excuse me, I can’t hold back any longer. I need some lunch! – Nagi
More dinner in one pot!
Cheeseburger Casserole (Homemade Hamburger Helper)
Asian Beef and Ramen Noodles – made in one skillet in 15 minutes!
Browse all One Pot recipes
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
This recipe features in my debut cookbook Dinner. The book is mostly new recipes, but this is a reader favourite included by popular demand!
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One Pot Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice
Ingredients
Chicken and Marinade
- 5 chicken thighs, skin on, bone in (about 1 kg / 2 lb) (Note 1)
- 1 – 2 lemons, use the zest + 4 tbsp lemon juice (Note 7)
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 tsp salt
Rice
- 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil, separated
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 cup (180g) long grain rice , uncooked (Note 6)
- 1 1/2 cups (375 ml) chicken broth / stock
- 3/4 cup (185 ml) water
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 3/4 tsp salt
- Black pepper
Garnish
- Finely chopped parsley or oregano (optional)
- Fresh lemon zest (highly recommended)
Instructions
- Combine the Chicken and Marinade ingredients in a ziplock bag and set aside for at least 20 minutes but preferably overnight.
To Cook
- Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F.
- Remove chicken from marinade, but reserve the Marinade.
- Heat 1/2 tbsp olive oil in a deep, heavy based skillet (Note 2) over medium high heat.
- Place the chicken in the skillet, skin side down, and cook until golden brown, then turn and cook the other side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Pour off fat and wipe the pan with a scrunched up ball of paper towel (to remove black bits), then return to the stove.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in the skillet over medium high heat. Add the onion and sauté for a few minutes until translucent. Then add the remaining Rice ingredients and reserved Marinade.
- Let the liquid come to a simmer and let it simmer for 30 seconds. Place the chicken on top then place a lid on the skillet (Note 3). Bake in the oven for 35 minutes. Then remove the lid and bake for a further 10 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender (so 45 minutes in total).
- Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving, garnished with parsley or oregano and fresh lemon zest, if desired.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
If you like this one pot Greek Chicken recipe, you may also enjoy my ONE POT BAKED GREEK CHICKEN ORZO (RISONI)!
And if you’re after another Greek Chicken recipe (because let’s face it, the Greeks know how to make GOOD CHICKEN!), I think you’ll enjoy my GREEK CHICKEN GYROS.
The yoghurt lemon marinade for this chicken is incredible!
LIFE OF DOZER
His chest hair bursting out of his sweater…. SO CUTE!!!
I am looking to cook this, but would like to know – I love thigh bone in part of chicken but my household don’t like that cut, can you use Thigh fillets instead?
Made it for dinner and everybody loved it! I doubled the rice/water quantity and cooked it in a larger pan, covered with foil and cooked an extra 10’ as per the notes. Cooking times were spot on! Will definitely make it again.
made from the recipe book – swapped rice for pearl barley (needed a splash more water when the lid came off but thats it) and its delicious and fresh, perfect summery night dinner. Will make again as so simple. Served with green beans.
Made this for dinner this evening, another hit! Will be cooking it again for sure, thanks!
I’ve made this a couple times and its a great recipe! I did add thyme.
? I went to make this again, and just noticing ….there is no olive oil in the marinade…? I think i added a couple tablspoons in the chicken marinade.
Can anyone tell me if olive oil is needed
in the marinade?
So yummy! We are big rice eaters though. If I wanted to add in extra rice, how much extra stock would you recommend?
Just so good and easy too!
delicious and super easy. leave the skin on it is worth it. I did it with and without skin.
Easy to make and taste great. Only thing missing is tzatziki sauce. The next time I make this I am making this sauce.
I agree. I was thinking some plain yoghurt would be nice as I was eating But tzatziki would go really well.
Can your one pot recipes be doubled. If so does it affect the cooking time? I’d like to double the Greek chicken and rice one pot
As long as your chicken is in a single layer it will be same timing.
Hi! I wonder if I can cook the rice in a rice cooker instead? Instead of baking it?
Oh my!! So much deliciousness in one pot! Very yummy 😋!
WOW!!! This dish is delish!!! Easy to make and one pot (my fave). It is so yummy!!!!! Nagi, before finding your instagram page a few years ago my family were full and content with my cooking but I was bored with the repetition. Your recipes have taken our meals to a whole other level!! Oh and our waists to a whole new size (or two ;))
This is a great family friendly recipe – I’ve cooked and loved it twice served with green beans or broccolini on the side 🙂
Thank you for yet another amazing recipe Nagi. I love this dish so much that I have cravings for it!
This is outstanding!! SO delicious! My friends raved about it and ate every bite! I used jasmine rice and 3 bone in chicken breasts since I don’t like thighs, but it still came out great! One of my favorite dishes ever!
Loved this recipe but next time I will be using skinless fillets because it was very oily. The flavours in this recipe are amazing.
I’m looking to make this tonight – I only have skinless, bone out thighs.
Do I still brown them before they go in the oven, or is the bake time all they need?
Made this a few times, sensational and easy, as always Nagi. Did add some chopped red capsicum and black olives last night though. Took it to the next level.
Thanks again
Loved this recipe, thank you Nagi!!!
Would love to add extra rice though….would you think doubling rice and doubling liquid quantities will work please?? xx