Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice

Introduction

Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice offers the ultimate in ease and flavor for busy home cooks. The slow cooker method ensures perfectly juicy chicken and tender rice, all infused with bright lemon and aromatic herbs. It’s a comforting, family-friendly meal that requires very little hands-on time—simply set it and let the delicious aroma fill your kitchen until dinner is ready.

Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice

This one-pot dish combines citrusy zest, tender chicken, and savory herbs for a well-balanced meal. Using a slow cooker means less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying a wholesome dinner. The fresh lemon and herbs provide an uplifting twist that sets this recipe apart and appeals to both kids and adults alike.

Choosing the Best Chicken and Herb Combination

Opt for boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for ultimate tenderness. Fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, or dill deliver bright, clean flavor, but dried herbs work well too if you’re short on time. The lemon not only brightens the dish but helps keep the chicken moist throughout the slow cooking process. For a creamier texture, stir in a touch of Greek yogurt just before serving.

Assembling and Cooking Your Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice

Begin by layering uncooked rice and aromatics in the base of your slow cooker. Add the seasoned chicken, then pour in broth mixed with lemon juice and a medley of herbs. Cover and cook on low, allowing the flavors to meld and the rice to soak up every drop of lemony goodness. This hands-off approach makes it easy to have a hot, nourishing dinner even on your busiest days.

Serving Suggestions for a Complete Meal

Serve this chicken and rice with a side of steamed green beans, a crisp salad, or roasted vegetables for a colorful plate. Garnish with extra lemon zest and a sprinkle of fresh herbs for a restaurant-quality finish. Pair with a light white wine or sparkling water with lemon for a satisfying meal everyone will want to come back for.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 4 generous servings. Each portion includes a lean protein, healthy carbs from the rice, and plenty of flavor without excessive fat or sodium, making it an excellent option for balanced weeknight dinners.

Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice (Recap)

With just a few minutes of prep and a handful of fresh ingredients, this Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice delivers maximum flavor and hearty comfort. The hands-off cooking process makes it ideal for anyone seeking delicious, stress-free dinners.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with olive oil.
2. Evenly spread the rinsed rice in the bottom of the slow cooker. Top with diced onion and minced garlic.
3. Place chicken breasts or thighs over the rice mixture. Season with salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, and parsley.
4. In a medium bowl, whisk together the chicken broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Pour this mixture evenly over the chicken and rice.
5. Drizzle olive oil over the top. Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
6. If you like a creamier texture, stir in Greek yogurt during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
7. Before serving, fluff the rice and garnish with lemon slices and extra fresh herbs as desired.

Weekly Meal Planning

This recipe is ideal for meal prep because it stays moist and flavorful for several days. Save and schedule this recipe to effortlessly plan when you’ll serve it—plus, generate organized shopping lists that consolidate all ingredients, eliminating duplicates and ensuring a smooth grocery trip.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically adds up ingredient quantities from multiple recipes for accurate shopping
• Sorts your list by grocery store sections to save time
• Reduces duplicate purchases and forgotten ingredients
• Makes meal planning more efficient and tailored to your family’s schedule

Pro tip: Schedule your weekly meals to see overlapping ingredients—so if you’re making this Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice and another meal that uses onions, the app will total up exactly how many onions you’ll need.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 4–5 hours (on LOW)
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes – 5 hours 15 minutes

Enjoy this fresh and zesty slow cooker meal that’s as easy to plan as it is to prepare!