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One-Pan Lemon Chicken and Rice

An easy and delicious one-pan meal featuring tender chicken breasts, flavorful rice, and fresh spinach, all infused with bright lemon flavor.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 400
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the chicken
  • 2 large chicken breasts, cut in half lengthwise
  • 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the rice mixture
  • 1 1/4 cup long grain white rice
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp lemon zest
  • 2 cups packed baby spinach leaves, chopped
  • 2 1/2 cups fat-free chicken broth
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup parsley leaves, minced (optional)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat a large nonstick skillet over high heat. Rub 2 tablespoons of lemon juice over the chicken.
  2. Sprinkle the chicken evenly with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.
  3. Spray the pan with cooking spray and sear the chicken until brown but not cooked all the way through, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pan and place it on a plate.
Cooking
  1. In the same pan, lower the heat to medium and add the chopped onion. Sauté until slightly browned, about 4-5 minutes.
  2. Mix in the rice, garlic, lemon zest, thyme, and salt. Stir and sauté until the rice is coated and slightly translucent, about 3-4 more minutes.
  3. Add the chicken broth and spinach. Bring to a boil, scraping the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Once boiling, lay the chicken on top of the rice mixture.
  4. Cover the skillet, lower the heat to medium-low, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice is just cooked through.
  5. Remove the pan from heat, move the chicken to a plate again, and stir in the lemon juice and grated parmesan into the rice until everything is melted and the rice is creamy.
Serving
  1. Sprinkle the rice with chopped parsley, if desired. Serve one piece of chicken with 1 cup of the rice mixture.

Notes

Use fresh lemons for the best flavor. For more greens, feel free to add more spinach or other vegetables like peas or bell peppers. For a hint of spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing the onions.