Description

Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice is a bright, cozy, one-pot weeknight dinner. Tender chicken slowly cooks with fluffy rice in a fresh lemon-herb broth, delivering comforting flavor with a lively citrus lift. Made with pantry staples, this easy, set-it-and-forget-it recipe saves time while delivering a wholesome, family-friendly meal.

Ingredients

Scale

1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 cup uncooked long-grain rice, rinsed
2 1/4 cups chicken broth
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh lemon zest
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp black pepper
Salt, to taste
1/2 cup frozen peas (optional)
Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions

Lightly grease the slow cooker insert.
Add rinsed rice to the bottom of the slow cooker.
Place chicken on top of the rice.
In a bowl, whisk chicken broth, olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, thyme, pepper, and salt.
Pour the mixture evenly over the chicken and rice.
Cover and cook on low for 4–5 hours, until chicken is tender and rice is cooked.
Shred chicken slightly or leave whole, then gently stir to combine.
Stir in peas if using and cook 5 more minutes.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes

You can substitute chicken thighs for breasts for more moisture.
Rice-to-liquid ratio is tuned for a 4–5 hour cook; adjust for different slow cookers.
Peas are optional; add more veggies for variety.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4–5 hours
Category: Main Dish
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4 recipe)
Calories: ≈ 480
Sugar: ≈ 3 g
Sodium: ≈ 450 mg
Fat: ≈ 18 g
Saturated Fat: ≈ 4 g
Unsaturated Fat: ≈ 14 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: ≈ 52 g
Fiber: ≈ 3 g
Protein: ≈ 32 g
Cholesterol: ≈ 140 mg

Keywords: Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice, lemon chicken, easy weeknight dinner, one-pot meal, slow cooker poultry, citrus chicken, rice dish, family dinner