10+ Lemon Chicken with Rice Easy Recipes for Busy Weeknights
If you’re looking for delicious and easy meals, lemon chicken with rice is a perfect choice. These recipes bring together the bright flavor of lemon with tender chicken and fluffy rice, creating a satisfying dish for any night of the week. Whether you’re a beginner in the kitchen or a seasoned cook, there are simple ways to prepare this classic meal.
Combining fresh ingredients with simple steps, you can create a delightful family dinner in no time. With various recipes to try, you’ll find options that suit your taste and cooking style. Get ready to enjoy a meal that’s not only tasty but also showcases the bright zest of lemon!
Lemon Herb Chicken & Rice
Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice is a simple and tasty dish. It combines the freshness of lemon with savory herbs. This meal is perfect for busy weeknights.
To make Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice, start by heating butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Then, season your chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Brown the chicken for 1-2 minutes on each side.
Once browned, set the chicken aside. In the same skillet, add rice, chicken broth, lemon juice, and more herbs. Stir well and bring it to a simmer.
Finally, place the chicken back on top of the rice. Cover the skillet and reduce the heat to low. Cook until the rice is tender and the chicken is fully cooked.
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Italian seasoning
Cooking Instructions
- Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Brown chicken for 1-2 minutes on each side.
- Remove chicken and set aside.
- Add rice, chicken broth, and lemon juice to the skillet.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Place chicken back on top of the rice.
- Cover and cook on low until rice is tender.
Easy Lemon Chicken Stir Fry
Lemon chicken stir fry is a quick and tasty dish that you can make on a busy weeknight. You’ll love how fresh and zesty it tastes.
Start by slicing chicken into bite-sized pieces. Then, heat some oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken until it’s no longer pink, about 4 to 5 minutes.
Add your choice of vegetables like bell peppers and green beans. Stir-fry them for about 3 to 4 minutes until they’re crisp-tender.
To finish, mix in a simple lemon sauce made from lemon juice and soy sauce. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes until everything is combined and heated through.
Serve this delicious stir-fry over rice for a complete meal.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450 g) chicken breast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 1 cup green beans
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add sliced chicken and cook until no longer pink.
- Add vegetables and stir-fry for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Mix in lemon juice and soy sauce.
- Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes.
- Serve over rice.
Lemon Garlic Chicken With Rice
Lemon Garlic Chicken with Rice is a simple and tasty dish you can make any day of the week. The bright flavors of lemon and garlic make it a favorite.
To start, you will need to sauté minced garlic in a skillet. Let it cook for 1-2 minutes until it becomes fragrant. Then, add your chicken pieces to the skillet. Cook them for about 5-7 minutes until they are browned on both sides.
Next, you’ll add cooked rice, frozen peas, and fresh lemon juice to the skillet. Stir everything together until it’s well combined. Let it simmer for a few more minutes, allowing the flavors to blend.
This dish is not only delicious but also easy to prepare, perfect for a quick dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 chicken breasts, cut into pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté minced garlic for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add chicken pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes until browned.
- Stir in cooked rice and frozen peas.
- Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper; mix well.
- Simmer for a few minutes and serve.
4) One-Pan Lemon Chicken & Rice
One-Pan Lemon Chicken and Rice is a simple and tasty recipe perfect for busy weeknights. The flavors blend well, and everything cooks in one pot, making cleanup easy.
Start by seasoning the chicken with salt and pepper. Then, sear it in a skillet with melted butter over medium-high heat for a few minutes on each side.
Add uncooked rice, chicken broth, and lemon juice to the pan. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and cover. Simmer everything until the chicken is cooked through and the rice is tender.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges for extra flavor. This dish is comforting and satisfying, making it a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 4 boneless chicken breasts
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Sear chicken in a skillet with butter over medium-high heat for 2-3 minutes on each side.
- Add rice, chicken broth, and lemon juice to the skillet.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Once cooked, garnish with parsley and serve.
5) Creamy Lemon Chicken & Rice Bake
This dish combines tender chicken with creamy rice for a comforting meal. You’ll love how easy it is to make.
Start by seasoning the chicken with your favorite spices. Then, sear it in a skillet until golden brown. This adds flavor to your bake.
Next, prepare a creamy mixture using cream of chicken soup, lemon juice, and zest. Mix in cooked rice and pour it into a baking dish. Place the browned chicken on top, adding a few lemon slices for extra zest.
Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for about 25-30 minutes. The chicken should be fully cooked, and the rice will soak up all the delicious flavors.
Enjoy this dish with a side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal!
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Lemon slices for garnish
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper and sear in a skillet.
- Mix cream of chicken soup, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a bowl.
- Combine the rice with the creamy mixture in a baking dish.
- Place the browned chicken on top and add lemon slices.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
6) Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup
Lemon Chicken & Rice Soup is a warm and comforting meal that’s easy to make. It’s perfect for chilly days or when you need a little pick-me-up.
Start by cooking onions, carrots, and celery in a pot. This will add great flavor. Then, add garlic for an extra kick.
Next, include chicken pieces with water and seasonings. Bring it to a boil and then let it simmer until the chicken is cooked through.
After the chicken is ready, shred it and return it to the pot. Finally, stir in cooked rice and squeeze in some fresh lemon juice for brightness.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound chicken breast
- 8 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup cooked rice
- Juice of 1 lemon
Cooking Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pot.
- Sauté onion, carrots, and celery for 5-7 minutes.
- Add garlic; cook for another minute.
- Add chicken, water, salt, and pepper.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer until chicken is cooked.
- Shred the chicken and return to the pot.
- Stir in rice and lemon juice.
7) Lemon Chicken Skewers With Jasmine Rice
Lemon chicken skewers with jasmine rice make for a tasty and easy meal. The bright, zesty flavors of lemon combined with tender chicken create a dish that’s sure to please everyone.
Start by marinating bite-sized chicken pieces in lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, and herbs. This helps to infuse the chicken with flavor. After marinating, thread the chicken onto skewers.
Grill the skewers on medium-high heat for about 4-5 minutes per side until they are cooked through and slightly charred.
While the chicken is grilling, cook the jasmine rice. Rinse the rice under cold water to remove excess starch. Then, cook it in chicken broth for added flavor.
Serve the grilled chicken skewers over a generous portion of fluffy jasmine rice. You can garnish with fresh herbs or lemon slices for an extra touch.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast, cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup jasmine rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- Fresh herbs for garnish
Cooking Instructions
- Marinate the chicken in lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper for at least 30 minutes.
- Thread the chicken pieces onto skewers.
- Preheat the grill to medium-high heat (about 375°F or 190°C).
- Cook the skewers for 4-5 minutes on each side until fully cooked.
- Rinse the jasmine rice under cold water.
- Cook the rice in chicken broth according to package instructions.
- Serve the chicken skewers over the jasmine rice with garnishes.
8) Lemon Basil Chicken With Brown Rice
This dish combines juicy chicken with the fresh flavors of lemon and basil, all served over brown rice. It’s an easy and healthy option for dinner.
Start by marinating your chicken in lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, and chopped fresh basil. This helps to infuse the chicken with flavor. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
While the chicken is marinating, cook your brown rice according to package instructions. You can use chicken broth instead of water for extra flavor.
Once the chicken has marinated, cook it in a skillet over medium heat until it’s fully cooked, about 6-7 minutes per side.
Serve the chicken on top of a bed of brown rice, garnishing with additional basil and lemon wedges for a bright touch.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 cup brown rice
- 1 lemon (juiced and zested)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- Fresh basil (chopped)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Marinate chicken in lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and basil for 30 minutes.
- Cook brown rice as directed.
- Cook marinated chicken in a skillet over medium heat until done.
- Serve chicken over the brown rice, garnished with basil and lemon wedges.
9) Instant Pot Lemon Chicken & Rice
Making Instant Pot Lemon Chicken & Rice is a breeze. You can whip up a comforting meal in under 30 minutes. This dish features tender chicken, fluffy rice, and a zesty lemon flavor.
Start by cooking the chicken thighs with garlic and onions. Then, add brown rice, lemon juice, and broth to the pot. The Instant Pot handles the rest, cooking everything perfectly and keeping it juicy.
After cooking, you will have a balanced meal that’s both tasty and satisfying. It’s great for busy weeknights or a simple lunch.
Ingredients
- 1 pound (450 g) chicken thighs
- 1 cup (200 g) brown rice
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) lemon juice
- 2 cups (480 ml) chicken broth
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode. Add chopped onions and garlic.
- Once fragrant, add chicken thighs and brown them.
- Stir in brown rice and lemon juice.
- Pour in chicken broth and season with salt and pepper.
- Close the lid and set to manual high pressure for 22 minutes.
- Once done, let it naturally release for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
10) Grilled Lemon Chicken Over Rice Pilaf
Grilled lemon chicken over rice pilaf is a tasty meal that is easy to make. The bright flavors of lemon combined with grilled chicken make it a favorite. Pair it with fluffy rice pilaf, and you have a satisfying dish.
Start by marinating your chicken in lemon juice, garlic, and herbs. This adds flavor and keeps the chicken tender. After marinating, grill the chicken until it’s fully cooked and has nice grill marks.
For the rice pilaf, sauté onions in a pan with some oil, then add the rice. Stir in broth and let it simmer until the rice is fluffy.
Serve the grilled chicken on top of the rice pilaf. The combination of flavors is sure to please everyone at the table.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried herbs
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
Cooking Instructions
- Marinate chicken in lemon juice, garlic, and herbs for at least 30 minutes.
- Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side, until cooked through.
- In a pan, sauté onion in oil until soft.
- Add rice and stir for 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken broth, bring to a boil, then cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes.
- Fluff rice and serve grilled chicken over it.