Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Recipe
This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice is a comforting, flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender chicken breasts cooked slowly with aromatic herbs, zesty lemon, and savory broth to create a perfectly moist and fragrant dish. The addition of sautéed onions, garlic, and fresh parsley enhances the rustic appeal, making it an easy and satisfying family dinner option.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 to 4 hours on low or 1.5 to 2 hours on high
- Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes to 4 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Herb Mixture
- 2 pounds chicken breasts
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Rice and Vegetables
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Layer Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the sautéed onion and garlic mixture to the bottom of the slow cooker. Place the chicken breasts on top of this mixture. Sprinkle dried thyme, rosemary, lemon zest, salt, and black pepper evenly over the chicken.
- Add Rice and Broth: Add the uncooked long-grain white rice around the chicken in the slow cooker. Pour the chicken broth over the rice and chicken, ensuring the rice is fully submerged in the liquid. Drizzle the fresh lemon juice over all the ingredients.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid. Cook on low heat for 3-4 hours or on high heat for 1.5-2 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
- Incorporate Peas and Finish: Once cooking is complete, remove the chicken breasts and set aside. Stir the frozen peas into the rice and broth mixture in the slow cooker, allowing them to warm through. Shred or slice the chicken breasts and return them to the slow cooker, mixing gently with the rice and peas.
- Season and Serve: Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper if needed. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top just before serving. Serve hot, ensuring portions include both chicken and rice.
Notes
- You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier option.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the chicken broth is gluten-free.
- If fresh parsley is unavailable, dried parsley can be used, but add less as it is more concentrated in flavor.
- Adjust cooking times based on your specific slow cooker as heat levels can vary.
- For extra creaminess, stir in a splash of cream or Greek yogurt just before serving.
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, lemon herb chicken, chicken and rice, one-pot meal, slow cooker recipe, comfort food
