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One Pot Greek Chicken & Lemon Rice

One Pot Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice is a comforting Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring golden, oven-baked chicken thighs layered over fragrant lemon-infused rice. Everything cooks together in one skillet for maximum flavor and easy cleanup.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time45 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 5

Ingredients

Chicken and Marinade

  • 5 chicken thighs skin-on, bone-in (about 2 lb / 1 kg)
  • Zest of 1–2 lemons
  • 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Rice

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 1 small onion finely diced
  • 1 cup long grain rice uncooked
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • Black pepper to taste

Garnish

  • Finely chopped parsley or oregano optional
  • Fresh lemon zest

Instructions

  • Combine chicken, lemon zest, lemon juice, oregano, garlic, and salt in a zip-top bag. Marinate for at least 20 minutes or overnight.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
  • Remove chicken from marinade, reserving the marinade.
  • Heat 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in a deep, oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Place chicken skin-side down and cook until golden brown. Flip and brown the other side. Remove and set aside.
  • Carefully wipe excess fat and browned bits from the pan.
  • Add remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Sauté onion until translucent.
  • Stir in rice, chicken broth, water, oregano, salt, pepper, and reserved marinade.
  • Bring mixture to a simmer and let simmer for 30 seconds.
  • Place chicken on top of the rice. Cover with a lid and bake for 35 minutes.
  • Remove lid and bake an additional 10 minutes, or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
  • Remove from oven and let rest for 5–10 minutes.
  • Garnish with chopped herbs and fresh lemon zest before serving.

Notes

  • Marinate Longer: Overnight marinating deepens flavor.
  • Use Bone-In Thighs: Keeps chicken juicy during baking.
  • Don’t Skip Searing: Adds flavor and crispy texture.
  • Let It Rest: Helps rice finish absorbing liquid.
  • Add Veggies: Stir in spinach or peas before baking for extra nutrition.