Everything cooks in one skillet, including the rice. The easiest weeknight of the week.
The rice cooks in the same pan as the chicken, in broth and lemon, picking up everything left behind from searing. That is the whole trick, and it is why this needs no side dish.
At 38g of protein a serving it is the biggest plate in the guide, and it still only asks you to wash one skillet.
At a glance
Time 35 min
Serves 6 servings
Calories 480
Protein 38 g
Carbohydrate 52 g
Fat 12 g
Ingredients
4–6 boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tbsp onion powder
1 tbsp lemon pepper seasoning
½ cup shallots, finely diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp fresh thyme
2 cups rice (white or jasmine)
4 cups chicken broth
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tbsp olive oil, plus more as needed
1 tbsp chopped parsley
1 lemon, sliced
Salt and pepper
Method
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
While it heats, season the chicken with lemon pepper, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper.
Sear the chicken 2–3 minutes a side, until golden but not cooked through. Remove and set aside.
In the same skillet, cook the shallots 1–2 minutes, until softened.
Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds more, until fragrant.
Stir in the rice, broth, lemon juice, remaining lemon pepper and thyme.
Nestle the seared chicken and lemon slices on top of the rice.
Cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer 15–20 minutes, until the rice is fluffy and the chicken is cooked through.
Finish with parsley and an extra squeeze of lemon. Serve with a side salad.
Notes
Serve with: A simple green salad is all this needs — the rice is already part of the dish.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use brown rice?
Yes, but it needs roughly double the simmering time and about an extra cup of broth. Check at 40 minutes.
Why is my rice still hard?
Almost always the heat was too high and the broth evaporated before the rice absorbed it. Keep it on a low simmer with the lid on, and add a splash more broth if the pan looks dry.
More like this
This recipe is one of ten in Jeem’s Busy Moms Recipe Guide — quick, high-protein meals built for mothers balancing work, family and their own well-being.
Nutrition figures are estimates and will vary with brands, portion sizes and substitutions. This is general information, not individual dietary advice.
