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Dump-and-Bake Greek Chicken and Rice infused with lemon and oregano

Zesty One-Pan Greek Lemon & Herb Chicken and Rice

This one-pan Greek lemon and herb chicken and rice recipe is an easy and flavorful meal perfect for a weeknight dinner. Chicken and rice are baked together with aromatic herbs and a zesty lemon kick.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 4 people

Equipment

  • Oven
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • Aluminum foil
  • Paper towels

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1.5 - 2 lbs Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks bone-in, skin-on preferred
  • 1.5 cups Long-Grain White Rice Basmati or Jasmine, rinsed
  • 3 cups Low-Sodium Chicken Broth
  • 1 Large Fresh Lemon zest and juice
  • 2 tsp Dried Oregano plus extra for chicken
  • 4-5 Garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil extra virgin
  • 1 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 0.5 tsp Black Pepper or to taste

Optional Garnish

  • Fresh parsley or dill
  • Crumbled feta cheese

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Cooking

  • In a 9x13-inch baking dish, combine the rinsed rice, minced garlic, 2 teaspoons dried oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and 0.5 teaspoon pepper, stirring well to distribute seasonings.
  • Pour the chicken broth into the baking dish and gently stir it with the rice mixture.
  • Pat the chicken pieces dry, drizzle with olive oil, and season generously with salt, pepper, and extra oregano; zest half of the lemon over the chicken.
  • Arrange the seasoned chicken pieces on top of the rice mixture, ensuring they are nestled nicely but not fully submerged.
  • Squeeze the juice from the zested lemon half (and the other half if desired) over the chicken and rice.
  • Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes.
  • Remove the foil, increase the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C), and bake for another 20-25 minutes until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, and the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.

Serving

  • Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes to allow flavors to meld and rice to finish absorbing liquid.
  • Fluff the rice gently with a fork before serving, and garnish with fresh chopped parsley or dill and crumbled feta cheese if desired.

Notes

For extra crispiness, you can broil the chicken for a few minutes at the end of cooking, watching carefully to prevent burning. If you prefer a milder lemon flavor, use only half a lemon. Adjust seasoning to your taste after resting.