Print

Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 58 reviews

A vibrant and wholesome Greek Chicken and Lemon Rice recipe featuring juicy, seasoned chicken thighs cooked to perfection and served with fragrant lemon-infused jasmine rice, spinach, chickpeas, tomatoes, and a luscious feta cheese mixture. This dish balances textures and bright flavors with Mediterranean herbs and fresh lemon juice for a satisfying and nutritious meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 1.5 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Greek Lemon Rice

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 8 oz grape tomatoes, halved
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 5 oz fresh spinach, chopped
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 2 cups cooked jasmine rice
  • 15 oz canned chickpeas, drained

Feta Cheese Mixture

  • 6 oz feta cheese, diced into small cubes
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano (optional)
  • Fresh oregano for garnish

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken: In a bowl, season the chicken thighs with dried oregano, paprika, salt, and red pepper flakes evenly to ensure rich flavor.
  2. Heat the skillet: Preheat a high-sided, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat for 2 minutes to ensure it is hot enough for cooking.
  3. Cook the chicken: Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the skillet. Place chicken thighs skinless-side down and cook undisturbed over medium heat for 5 minutes. Avoid burning the oil; adjust heat to low-medium if necessary.
  4. Flip and finish cooking: Turn the chicken thighs over, reduce heat to low-medium, and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Once cooked through, remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  5. Sauté tomatoes and garlic: In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, half of the halved grape tomatoes, minced garlic, dried oregano, and salt. Cook over medium heat for about 2 minutes until tomatoes soften and release juices.
  6. Wilt spinach: Add chopped fresh spinach to the skillet and cook until wilted, stirring occasionally.
  7. Combine rice and chickpeas: Stir in cooked jasmine rice and drained chickpeas, mixing well to absorb flavors.
  8. Add lemon and remaining tomatoes: Pour in 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice and add the remaining uncooked halved grape tomatoes. Reheat over medium heat, stirring frequently. Add extra olive oil if desired.
  9. Prepare feta mixture: In a bowl, combine diced feta cheese with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, and fresh chopped oregano if using. Mix thoroughly to coat the cheese evenly.
  10. Mix feta into rice: Stir half of the feta cheese mixture into the skillet with lemon rice to integrate the creamy flavor.
  11. Add cooked chicken: Slice the cooked chicken and place it into the skillet with the rice mixture. Reheat on medium heat until everything is warmed through.
  12. Serve and garnish: Top the assembled dish with the remaining feta mixture and sprinkle fresh oregano on top. Season with additional salt and black pepper to taste before serving.

Notes

  • Use a heavy-bottomed skillet like cast iron or stainless steel for even heat distribution and better cooking results.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes according to your spice tolerance for a milder or spicier dish.
  • Cook jasmine rice ahead of time or use leftover rice for convenience.
  • The lemon juice brightens the dish; use freshly squeezed lemon juice for best flavor.
  • If fresh oregano is not available, substitute with additional dried oregano but reduce quantity to avoid overpowering the dish.
  • Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
  • This recipe can be adapted for gluten-free diets as all ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

Keywords: Greek chicken, lemon rice, feta cheese, Mediterranean recipe, stovetop chicken, healthy chicken dish, chickpea rice, spinach recipe

Find it online: https://chefmilacook.com/greek-chicken-and-lemon-rice-recipe/