Good afternoon, my dear friends! It’s a lovely, cool Saturday afternoon here in Rabat, just about 1:55 PM, and my kitchen already smells incredible thanks to my slow cooker working its magic. Today, I’m sharing one of my absolute favorite simple crockpot dinners: this bright and flavorful Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice. Imagine incredibly tender chicken, infused with zesty lemon and aromatic herbs, nestled alongside fluffy rice and veggies, all cooked together with minimal effort. It’s the perfect balance of a comforting, hearty meal and a light, healthy dinner, making it an absolute lifesaver for busy weeknights and a fantastic choice for healthy meals for family dinners.
Serving Versatility
While this dish is designed as a complete chicken and rice meal, the lemon herb chicken itself is wonderfully versatile! You can shred the cooked chicken and use it in wraps, serve it over quinoa or cauliflower rice for a different grain or low-carb option, or simply enjoy the chicken and veggies on their own.
Full Recipe: My Go-To Lemon Herb Chicken & Rice
- Prep time: 15 minutes
- Cook time: 4-6 hours on low
- Total time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Servings: 4-6
- Calories: Approximately 480 calories per serving
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked (rinsed)
- 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 lemon, zested and juiced
- 1 tablespoon dried herbs de Provence (or a mix of dried thyme, rosemary, and oregano)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ½ cup frozen peas (optional)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Place the chopped onion, carrots, celery, and minced garlic in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Rinse the uncooked rice thoroughly under cold water until the water runs clear. Sprinkle the rinsed rice evenly over the vegetables.
- Place the chicken pieces on top of the rice and vegetables.
- In a bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, lemon zest, lemon juice, and dried herbs. Season with salt and pepper. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken and rice.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 4-6 hours or on HIGH for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and tender, and the rice has absorbed the liquid and is fluffy. Note: Cooking times can vary significantly based on your slow cooker model.
- Once cooked, remove the chicken from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
- If using frozen peas, stir them into the rice mixture during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
- Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and gently fluff the rice and vegetables with a fork, mixing the chicken back in. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh parsley.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick preparation: Just 15 minutes of prep for a complete, flavorful meal! Perfect for easy family dinners crockpot meal ideas.
- Budget-friendly ingredients: Uses simple, affordable staples like chicken, rice, and basic vegetables.
- Big, cozy flavor: Bright lemon and savory herbs create a delicious, comforting taste profile.
- Nutritional value: A fantastic balance of lean protein, carbohydrates, and vegetables makes this a great choice for dinners for families.
- Customizability: Easily swap veggies, use different herbs, or adjust the lemon to your liking. It’s one of the best protein crock pot meals!
Cultural or Cooking Technique Note
This recipe beautifully utilizes the slow cooker (or even a 10 in 1 multi cooker on the slow cook setting) to create a complete one-pot meal. Slow cooking is ideal for infusing ingredients with flavor over time. The gentle, consistent heat allows the lemon and herbs to deeply penetrate the chicken, while the rice slowly absorbs the savory broth and chicken juices, becoming incredibly flavorful itself. It’s an efficient method that maximizes taste while minimizing active cooking time.
Serving Suggestions
- As a Complete Bowl: Serve the chicken and rice mixture directly in bowls, garnished with fresh parsley.
- With Extra Greens: Serve alongside a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette or steamed asparagus.
- A Touch of Creaminess: Stir in a dollop of plain Greek yogurt or a splash of cream at the end for a richer finish (adjust seasoning if needed).
- For Little Ones: The tender chicken and soft rice make this a fantastic, easy-to-eat meal for kids.
Pro Tips for Success
- Rinse Your Rice: Don’t skip rinsing the rice! This removes excess starch and helps prevent the rice from becoming gummy in the slow cooker.
- Chicken Choice: Chicken thighs stay more moist and tender during slow cooking, but chicken breasts work well too. If using breasts, opt for the lower end of the cooking time to avoid drying them out.
- Avoid Peeking: Lifting the lid releases heat and moisture, potentially affecting the rice cooking time. Trust the process!
- Fluff Gently: Once cooked, use a fork to gently fluff the rice and mix in the shredded chicken. Avoid vigorous stirring, which can make the rice mushy.
Storage & Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This makes wonderful leftovers for lunch! To reheat, add a splash of water or chicken broth to prevent drying out, and warm gently in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat until heated through. Freezing is possible, but the texture of the rice may become slightly softer upon thawing.
Closing Paragraph
I truly hope this Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice brings warmth, flavor, and ease to your dinner table! It’s one of those reliable chicken dinner crockpot recipes that feels both comforting and refreshingly light. It’s perfect for busy families or even easy single dinner recipes with fantastic leftovers. Please give it a try, and I’d love to hear how you enjoyed it – leave a rating and a comment below!
🎀 Final Thoughts
This dish is like sunshine in a bowl for me. The bright lemon and herb flavors combined with the tender chicken and fluffy rice just make me happy. It’s so simple to put together, and the results are always delicious. It’s a comforting, reliable meal that feels both wholesome and satisfying. I hope you love it!