Cozy Up with Easy Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Everyone Will Love!
Easy Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice is a cozy, comforting meal that’s better than takeout. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the trick to juicy chicken and tender rice every time. The bright, fresh flavors of lemon and herbs make this dish irresistible. Keep reading for my best tips, or jump to the recipe card. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Dump and Go Crockpot Marry Me Chicken Recipe and Sweet Cinnamon Swirl Pizza.
Why This Cozy Up with Easy Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Everyone Will Love! Is Pure Comfort
- Cozy and comforting
- Better than takeout
- Bright, fresh flavors
- Easy and quick
What You'll Need for Cozy Up with Easy Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Everyone Will Love!
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- chicken breasts
- rice
- lemon
- herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley)
- garlic
- salt
- pepper
- olive oil
- chicken broth
- butter
- Optional: lemon slices
- Optional: fresh parsley
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best.
- herbs: Fresh herbs are best, but dried can be used in a pinch.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Cooks chicken and rice together perfectly every time. → See on Amazon
- Good quality chef's knife — Makes prep work a breeze. → See on Amazon
How to Make Cozy Up with Easy Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Everyone Will Love!
- Step 1: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and half of the herbs.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned, about 5 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add rice and cook until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
- Step 4: Pour in chicken broth, add remaining herbs, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes.
- Step 5: Place chicken on top of rice, cover, and cook for another 10-15 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
- Step 6: Stir in butter and lemon juice. Top with fresh parsley and lemon slices before serving.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Cozy Up with Easy Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Everyone Will Love!
- : Use bone-in, skin-on chicken for even more flavor.
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overcook the chicken or it will become dry. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F.
- : For a one-pan meal, cook the chicken and rice together in the Instant Pot.
- : Make ahead and reheat in the oven for best results.
Storing & Reheating Cozy Up with Easy Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Everyone Will Love!
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make-ahead tip: Make ahead and reheat in the oven for best results.
Freezing Cozy Up with Easy Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Everyone Will Love!
Freeze cooked chicken and rice separately for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: Use a cast iron skillet for even heat distribution and great searing.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts for even more flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken and rice separately ahead of time, then combine and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the rice is still crunchy, add more chicken broth and cook for another 5 minutes.
Want to level up this recipe?
Meat thermometer — Ensures perfectly cooked chicken every time. → Check price on Amazon
Cozy Up with Easy Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Everyone Will Love!
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- chicken breasts
- rice
- lemon
- herbs (thyme, rosemary, parsley)
- garlic
Seasonings
- salt
- pepper
- olive oil
- chicken broth
- butter
Optional Toppings
- lemon slices
- fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and half of the herbs.
- Step 2: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned, about 5 minutes per side. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Step 3: In the same skillet, add rice and cook until lightly toasted, about 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
- Step 4: Pour in chicken broth, add remaining herbs, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 15 minutes.
- Step 5: Place chicken on top of rice, cover, and cook for another 10-15 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and rice is tender.
- Step 6: Stir in butter and lemon juice. Top with fresh parsley and lemon slices before serving.
Notes
- Chef tip: Use a cast iron skillet for even heat distribution and great searing.
- Best substitution: Substitute chicken thighs for chicken breasts for even more flavor.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the chicken and rice separately ahead of time, then combine and reheat when ready to serve.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or halved.
- Troubleshooting: If the rice is still crunchy, add more chicken broth and cook for another 5 minutes.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked chicken and rice separately for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: Make ahead and reheat in the oven for best results.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 40g
- Fat: 15g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Cholesterol: 105mg
- Sat. Fat: 3g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Cozy Up with Easy Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Everyone Will Love! FAQs
Yes, make ahead and reheat in the oven for best results.
Overcooking is the most common reason for dry chicken. Use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches 165°F.
Yes, cook the chicken and rice together in the Instant Pot for a one-pan meal.
Water or vegetable broth can be used as a substitute.
Freeze cooked chicken and rice separately for up to 2 months.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Cozy Up with Easy Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Everyone Will Love! and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
