Get ready to fall in love with your slow cooker all over again. This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice is the ultimate one-pot meal that delivers a gourmet-level taste with minimal effort. Imagine tender, fall-apart chicken infused with bright lemon and savory herbs, all cooked together with perfectly fluffy rice. It’s a complete, balanced meal that practically makes itself, solving the “what’s for dinner?” dilemma in the most delicious way possible.
We designed this recipe to be foolproof. Forget about dry chicken or mushy rice; we have perfected the method to ensure every component is cooked to perfection. This is the kind of set-it-and-forget-it meal that busy families dream of. It’s comforting, healthy, and packed with flavor.
Every bite is packed with bright, savory flavor.
Why This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Recipe Works
This isn’t just another crock pot recipe; it’s a game-changer for weeknight dinners. The magic lies in the cooking method and the layering of simple, fresh flavors that create a truly unforgettable dish.
Perfectly Cooked Rice: We use a specific technique—adding the rice later in the cooking process—to ensure it steams to fluffy perfection right in the slow cooker, absorbing all the delicious chicken broth and lemon herb sauce without turning gummy.
Incredibly Tender Chicken: Cooking chicken low and slow is the secret to making it unbelievably tender and juicy. The meat soaks up the vibrant marinade, becoming succulent and flavorful through and through.
One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks together in a single pot. This means less time washing dishes and more time enjoying your meal with your family. It’s the ideal easy slow cooker chicken recipe.
Bright, Fresh Flavors: The combination of fresh lemon juice, lemon zest, garlic, and a medley of herbs like thyme and rosemary creates a sauce that is both comforting and wonderfully bright. It elevates simple chicken and rice to a whole new level.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this slow cooker lemon herb chicken recipe is its simplicity. You only need a handful of wholesome, easy-to-find ingredients to create this stunning meal.
For the Lemon Herb Chicken:
Chicken Thighs: We recommend using 2 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken thighs for their rich flavor and tenderness.
Olive Oil: Just a tablespoon to create a base for our marinade.
Lemon: You’ll need the zest and juice of one large lemon for that signature bright, zesty flavor.
Garlic: Four cloves, freshly minced, for a pungent, aromatic depth.
Herbs: A teaspoon each of dried thyme and dried rosemary, or use fresh herbs if you have them!
Salt & Black Pepper: To taste, to season the chicken perfectly.
Chicken Broth: Four cups of low-sodium chicken broth will be the cooking liquid for both the chicken and the rice.
For the Rice:
Long-Grain White Rice: One and a half cups, rinsed well. Rinsing removes excess starch and is key to fluffy rice.
Fresh Parsley: A quarter cup, chopped, to stir in at the end for a fresh, vibrant finish.
Perfectly tender chicken and fluffy rice, cooked together in one pot.
How to Make Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice (Step-by-Step)
This recipe is as easy as 1-2-3. Just follow these simple steps for a perfect meal.
Marinate the Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Toss until the chicken is fully coated.
Sear the Chicken (Optional but Recommended): For an extra layer of flavor, sear the chicken thighs in a hot skillet for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. This step is optional but adds a delicious caramelized crust.
Slow Cook the Chicken: Place the marinated (and seared, if you did that step) chicken into the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the chicken broth over the top. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours, or on high for 2 hours, until the chicken is tender.
Add the Rice: Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and set it aside. Stir the rinsed long-grain white rice into the broth remaining in the slow cooker.
Finish Cooking: Place the chicken back on top of the rice and broth mixture. Cover and cook on high for another 45-60 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
Serve and Garnish: Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in the freshly chopped parsley. Serve the chicken and rice immediately, spooning any extra sauce over the top.
Tips for the Best Results
A few simple tips can take your Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice from great to absolutely spectacular.
Don’t Skip Rinsing the Rice: This is the most important step for achieving fluffy, distinct grains of rice. Rinse under cold water until the water runs clear.
Use Chicken Thighs: While chicken breasts work, thighs are more forgiving in a slow cooker and remain much more tender and flavorful. If you enjoy creating balanced slow cooker meals, check out this Mediterranean chicken bowl recipe.
Fresh is Best: Whenever possible, use fresh lemon juice and fresh herbs. It makes a noticeable difference in the final flavor. For another amazing one-pan meal, you might like this One-Pan Balsamic Chicken.
Let it Rest: After cooking, let the dish rest for about 5-10 minutes with the lid on. This allows the rice to finish steaming and absorbing the last bit of liquid.
Delicious Variations to Try
While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also wonderfully versatile. Here are a few ideas to customize it to your liking.
Add Vegetables: Stir in some spinach or frozen peas during the last 30 minutes of cooking for an extra dose of greens.
Make it Creamy: For a richer, creamier sauce, stir in a half cup of heavy cream or coconut milk at the end. It’s a delightful twist, similar to the sauce in this creamy gnocchi dish.
Spice it Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the marinade for a subtle touch of heat.
Different Grains: While the timing is optimized for white rice, you could experiment with brown rice or quinoa, but you will need to adjust the liquid amounts and cooking time accordingly.
What to Serve With Your Chicken and Rice
This is a complete meal on its own, but if you want to add a side dish, here are some great options:
A simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing.
Steamed or roasted vegetables like asparagus or broccoli.
Warm, crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
This recipe is perfect for meal prep! Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, simply microwave for 1-2 minutes or gently heat on the stovetop with a splash of chicken broth to keep it moist.
Yes, you can use chicken breasts. However, they have less fat and can dry out more easily. To avoid this, reduce the initial cooking time for the chicken to 2-3 hours on low to ensure they remain juicy and tender.
The key is to add the rice towards the end of the cooking time, not at the beginning. Also, be sure to rinse the long-grain white rice thoroughly before adding it to the pot. This removes excess starch and helps the grains stay separate and fluffy.
Absolutely! Heartier vegetables like carrots can be added with the chicken. For more delicate vegetables, such as spinach, frozen peas, or chopped broccoli florets, stir them in during the last 30 minutes of cooking so they don’t overcook.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For best results when reheating, add a splash of water or chicken broth before microwaving. This helps to steam the rice and chicken, making it moist and delicious again.
Yes, it is perfectly safe to put raw chicken in a slow cooker. The ‘low’ setting on a slow cooker is typically around 200°F (93°C), which is well above the 165°F (74°C) required to safely cook chicken.
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The easiest and most flavorful Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice you'll ever make!
Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice
FL Recipes
Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice (The Easiest, Most Flavorful Recipe!)
This Slow Cooker Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice is the ultimate one-pot meal! Featuring tender, juicy chicken and perfectly fluffy rice infused with bright lemon and savory herbs, it's a foolproof, set-it-and-forget-it dinner perfect for any night.
In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs, olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Toss until the chicken is fully coated.
For extra flavor, sear the chicken thighs in a hot skillet for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.
Place the marinated chicken into the bottom of your slow cooker. Pour the chicken broth over the top. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours, or on high for 2 hours.
Remove the cooked chicken and set aside. Stir the rinsed rice into the broth in the slow cooker.
Place the chicken back on top of the rice. Cover and cook on high for another 45-60 minutes, until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
Fluff the rice with a fork, stir in the fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
Nutrition
Calories: 450kcalProtein: 35gFat: 15gFiber: 2g
Notes
Tip 1: For the best texture, do not skip rinsing the rice. This removes excess starch and prevents it from becoming gummy. Tip 2: Feel free to add a cup of frozen peas or a few handfuls of fresh spinach during the last 30 minutes of cooking for added nutrition and color.
Keyword crock pot chicken,one-pot meal,slow cooker chicken and rice
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
