A vibrant and aromatic one-pan meal featuring tender chicken and fluffy rice, infused with zesty lemon and savory herbs. This dish is simple to prepare, requires minimal cleanup, and delivers a wholesome, satisfying dinner.
*Image is for illustration purposes and may differ from the actual recipe (AI generated).
Ingredients
- 300g boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 2-3 cm cubes
- 120g long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
- 400ml water or low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 lemon, for juice and zest
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- 1.Season the chicken cubes with salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
- 2.Heat olive oil in a large skillet with a lid over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 4-5 minutes, until browned on all sides. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- 3.In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add the chopped onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 4.Add the rinsed rice to the skillet and stir constantly for 1 minute to toast it lightly.
- 5.Pour in the water, add the juice of half the lemon, and season with a pinch of salt. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil.
- 6.Return the seared chicken to the skillet. Reduce the heat to low, cover tightly, and simmer for 15-18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.
- 7.Remove from heat. Let it stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the chopped fresh parsley and the zest from the whole lemon. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Information
Why this recipe
This recipe offers a fantastic balance of lean protein from chicken for muscle maintenance and complex carbohydrates from rice for sustained energy. It's naturally low-calorie and heart-healthy by using lemon and herbs for flavor instead of heavy creams or sauces.
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