Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken (Printable Version)
Tender lemon-herb chicken and fluffy rice slow-cooked together for an easy, comforting one-pot dinner.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 4 bone-in, skinless chicken thighs
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
05 - 1 cup frozen peas
→ Grains
06 - 1½ cups long grain white rice, rinsed
→ Liquids
07 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
08 - Zest and juice of 1 large lemon
→ Herbs & Spices
09 - 2 teaspoons dried Italian herb blend (thyme, oregano, rosemary)
10 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
11 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
→ Other
13 - 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
14 - Fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped (for garnish)
# Directions:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken thighs for 2 to 3 minutes per side until lightly golden. This step is optional but develops deeper flavor through the Maillard reaction.
02 - Spread rinsed rice in an even layer across the bottom of the slow cooker insert. Scatter diced onion, minced garlic, and diced carrots over the rice.
03 - Place the seared chicken thighs on top of the vegetable and rice bed. Sprinkle evenly with dried Italian herbs, salt, black pepper, and paprika.
04 - Pour chicken broth over all ingredients. Drizzle fresh lemon juice and scatter lemon zest evenly across the top.
05 - Cover the slow cooker and cook on High for 4 hours or on Low for 7 hours, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the rice is fully tender.
06 - Stir frozen peas into the rice during the final 20 minutes of cooking. Allow them to heat through gently without becoming mushy.
07 - Remove chicken thighs temporarily. Fluff the rice gently with a fork. Return chicken to the slow cooker, garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pot so cleanup is almost nonexistent, which is a gift on busy weeknights.
- The rice absorbs all the lemon herb broth and turns incredibly fragrant without any extra effort.
- It tastes like you spent hours hovering over the stove when you really just dumped things in a pot and walked away.
02 -
- Do not skip rinsing the rice or you will end up with a sticky, clumpy mess at the bottom of the pot.
- If using boneless chicken breasts, reduce the cooking time by 30 minutes to avoid drying them out completely.
03 -
- Searing the chicken is technically optional but the caramelized bits dissolve into the broth and create a richness you simply cannot get otherwise.
- Taste the broth before you pour it in and adjust the salt if your chicken broth is particularly salty or bland.