My Go-To One-Pan Lemon Herb Chicken & Rice
If there’s one recipe I can always count on for a quick yet elevated dinner, it’s this One-Pan Lemon Herb Chicken & Rice. It’s the perfect balance of comfort food and sophistication—simple enough for a weeknight but flavorful enough to feel special.
Creator: Leslie Stokes
I love how effortlessly everything comes together in just one pan. The chicken thighs stay juicy, the garlic and Italian seasoning add so much flavor, and the rice turns out incredibly buttery with the perfect texture. Plus, the fresh lemon juice brightens everything up, making each bite feel light yet satisfying.
Why This is a Must-Make Dinner
• One Pan = Easy Cleanup – Fewer dishes mean less time spent in the kitchen.
• Elevated Yet Simple – The white wine (or broth), lemon, and Italian herbs give it a restaurant-quality feel with minimal effort.
• The Rice is Next-Level – It soaks up all the buttery, garlicky goodness, making it rich, flavorful, and perfectly tender.
How to Make It
The process is super simple:
1. Sear the chicken until golden brown.
2. Sauté garlic and deglaze the pan with white wine (or broth) to build flavor.
3. Cook the rice right in the same pan with broth and lemon juice.
4. Let everything simmer together until the chicken is juicy and the rice is tender.
It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel like you put in way more effort than you actually did—my favorite kind of meal!
meal prep + storage tips
This dish reheats beautifully, so I love making extra for leftovers. The rice stays soft and flavorful, and the chicken stays juicy. If you have leftovers, just store them in an airtight container and reheat with a splash of broth to bring it back to life.
If you’re looking for a go-to weeknight dinner that feels special but takes minimal effort, this is it. Try it once, and I promise it’ll become a staple in your home just like it is in mine!
Let me know if you make it—I’d love to hear what you think!
One-Pan Lemon Herb Chicken & Rice
If there’s one recipe I can always count on for a quick yet elevated dinner, it’s this One-Pan Lemon Herb Chicken & Rice. It’s the perfect balance of comfort food and sophistication—simple enough for a weeknight but flavorful enough to feel special.
Ingredients
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- Kosher salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning divided
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 cup white wine or chicken broth
- 1 ½ cups RiceSelect® Royal Blend® Rice
- 1 cup chicken broth adjust as needed
- Juice of 1 lemon
Let's Make It
- 1. Season & Sear the Chicken• Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and ½ tablespoon of Italian seasoning.• In a large pan over medium-high heat, melt the butter.• Sear the chicken thighs for 4-5 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- 2. Sauté the Garlic & Deglaze• In the same pan, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 2 minutes, until fragrant.• Pour in the white wine (or chicken broth), scraping up any browned bits. Let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- 3. Cook the Rice• Stir in the RiceSelect® Royal Blend® Rice, remaining ½ tbsp Italian seasoning, chicken broth, lemon juice, and additional salt and pepper to taste.• Bring to a boil.
- 4. Simmer & Finish• Nestle the seared chicken back into the pan. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.• Check the rice after 10 minutes—if needed, add a bit more broth.• Continue cooking until the rice is tender and the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
Nutrition Facts
based off of 4 servings
calories 527
protein 38 g
carb 45 g
fat 18 g
fiber 2 g
