Name: One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts; 2 tablespoons butter; salt and pepper to taste; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1 cup uncooked white rice; 2 ¼ cups low sodium chicken broth; juice of 1 lemon; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

There’s something wonderfully comforting about this One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Recipe. Imagine tender chicken, fragrant with lemon and Italian herbs, resting over perfectly cooked rice—all made in one pan. It’s a weeknight win that smells as good as it tastes!

A close-up view of a white pot filled with three golden-brown grilled chicken pieces placed on top of a bed of fluffy, light brown rice. Thin lemon slices are layered between and on top of the chicken, adding a pop of bright yellow with visible seeds. Small green sprigs of herbs rest on the chicken and lemon slices, giving freshness and color contrast. The pot has a smooth, clean white inner surface and a dark outer edge, sitting on a white marbled surface. The texture of the chicken shows a slightly crispy, seasoned crust with visible black specks of pepper and herbs. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I love sharing this dish because it’s simple, satisfying, and screams comfort food without fuss. The way the lemon brightens the dish while the herbs keep it cozy makes it a family-favorite around here. Plus, clean-up is a breeze!

Time-Saver: Everything cooks together in one pot, saving you time and reducing mess.
Flavor Packed: Lemon juice and Italian herbs infuse the chicken and rice with bright, fresh notes.
Great for Beginners: The straightforward steps make it hard to go wrong, even if you’re new in the kitchen.
Versatile: You can easily swap herbs or add veggies to match your mood or what’s in season.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe balances simple pantry staples with fresh flavors that sing. The butter gives a lovely richness while the chicken broth and lemon juice create a delicate cooking liquid for the rice and chicken. Together, they transform basic ingredients into something truly special.

Flat lay of four raw boneless skinless chicken breasts arranged symmetrically, a small pile of uncooked white rice grains, a few fresh lemon wedges with vibrant yellow rind and juicy pulp, a small white ceramic bowl filled with golden yellow butter, a matching small white bowl containing fresh bright green Italian seasoning herbs, two whole brown eggs with smooth uncracked shells, and a small white ceramic bowl holding clear chicken broth, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Boneless skinless chicken breasts: They cook evenly and quickly, making them perfect for a one-pot meal.
Butter: Adds richness and helps brown the chicken beautifully.
Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning and enhancing natural flavors.
Italian seasoning: A blend of herbs like oregano and basil that bring warmth and Mediterranean notes.
Uncooked white rice: Absorbs all the zesty, herby liquid for tender grains that aren’t mushy.
Chicken broth (low sodium recommended): Gives depth and moisture without overpowering the lemon-herb freshness.
Juice of 1 lemon: Adds brightness and a subtle tang that wakes up the entire dish.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Recipe is how flexible it is. I often tweak it depending on what’s in my fridge or what flavors I’m craving—you should definitely feel free to do the same!

Variation: One of my favorite tweaks is swapping Italian seasoning with fresh rosemary and thyme for a deeper herbaceous punch. It’s perfect for chilly nights.
Add veggies: Toss in some chopped spinach or peas toward the end of cooking for an easy veggie boost.
Spicy twist: Adding a pinch of red pepper flakes when browning the chicken gives the dish a subtle kick.
Use brown rice: Just increase the cooking time and liquid slightly if you prefer a nuttier grain.

Step-by-Step: How I Make One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Recipe

The image shows several golden brown chicken pieces cooked in a pan. Each piece has a slightly crispy surface with small dark grill marks and scattered green herb bits on top. The chicken pieces are thick and tender, arranged close together with a juicy texture visible around the edges. The pan's surface is dark with some browned bits sticking to it, contrasting the light color of the chicken. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Brown the Chicken to Build Flavor

Start by melting the butter over medium heat in a large skillet or pan with a lid. Season your chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. I love the aroma as the chicken sizzles, browning them for just about 1-2 minutes on each side—not fully cooking through yet, but creating that golden crust that locks in flavor. Don’t rush this part; a good sear makes a world of difference.

Step 2: Add Rice and Liquid, Then Simmer

After transferring the browned chicken to a plate, add the uncooked rice right into the pan—no need to clean it, the leftover bits add extra flavor. Pour in chicken broth, lemon juice, and the rest of the Italian seasoning. Nestle the chicken back on top. Then cover and let it simmer gently over medium-low heat for about 20-25 minutes. This slow simmer lets the rice absorb all those lemon-herb juices while the chicken finishes cooking perfectly tender.

Step 3: Finish and Garnish

Once the liquid is fully absorbed and the rice is fluffy, you’re ready to serve. I always like to sprinkle fresh parsley or cilantro on top for a pop of color and freshness. A few lemon wedges on the side make squeezing extra citrus easy and brightens each bite. Serve immediately while it’s warm and inviting.

Top Tip

Having cooked this One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Recipe dozens of times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make a big difference in texture and flavor. These tips helped me avoid soggy rice and dry chicken—which can sometimes happen in one-pot recipes.

Don’t rush browning: Taking the time to brown your chicken well before simmering locks in juices and adds a rich flavor base.
Rice-to-liquid ratio: Stick to the 1 cup rice to 2 ¼ cups broth ratio for perfectly tender, not mushy, rice every time.
Simmer gently: Keep the heat medium-low and covered—this helps the rice absorb flavors slowly without burning the bottom.
Let it rest: After cooking, I let the pot sit off the heat for 5 minutes with the lid on; it allows the rice to finish steaming and the flavors to meld beautifully.

How to Serve One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Recipe

Garnishes

I usually finish the dish with a sprinkle of fresh flat-leaf parsley, sometimes cilantro when I want a slightly different herbal touch. Lemon wedges are a must—there’s nothing like extra lemon juice squeezed right before eating to make those flavors pop. If you’re feeling fancy, a drizzle of good olive oil adds a silky finish.

Side Dishes

This dish stands deliciously on its own but pairs beautifully with a simple green salad or steamed green beans for a fresh crunch. Roasted Brussels sprouts or a crisp cucumber and tomato salad also complement the bright lemony flavors well.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve the chicken and rice in pretty shallow bowls with a colorful sprinkle of pomegranate seeds or toasted pine nuts on top. It adds a festive look and a satisfying crunch. Layering a few fresh herb sprigs on top makes the presentation pop and invites guests to dive in.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover chicken and rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Make sure to cool it before sealing to prevent sogginess. Reheating gently keeps the texture as close as possible to fresh.

Freezing

I've frozen this dish a few times, portioned into meal-sized containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave. The texture softens slightly, but the flavors stay lovely—perfect for busy days when you want a ready meal.

Reheating

When reheating, I add a splash of water or broth to loosen the rice and keep the chicken moist, covering the pan or dish to steam. I prefer reheating slowly on the stovetop but the microwave works fine—just watch it to avoid drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Bone-in or boneless chicken thighs work wonderfully and add extra juiciness. Just remember to adjust the cooking time slightly since thighs might take a bit longer to cook through.

What type of rice is best for this recipe?

White long-grain rice is ideal because it cooks consistently and absorbs flavors well without becoming mushy. You can use other types, but cooking times and liquid amounts might need tweaking.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! This recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free chicken broth. Always check your seasoning blends to ensure they don't contain gluten additives.

How do I prevent the rice from sticking to the pan?

Using a good quality non-stick or heavy-bottomed skillet helps. Also, keeping the heat at medium-low while the rice simmers prevents burning. Stirring before adding the chicken helps evenly distribute the rice, but avoid stirring once simmering starts to allow it to cook properly.

Final Thoughts

This One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Recipe is one of those comforting dishes that has become a go-to for busy evenings or when I want something that feels homemade but requires little effort. Its bright lemon notes, tender chicken, and fluffy herbed rice always bring smiles around my table. I encourage you to try it exactly as written first—then make it your own with your favorite tweaks. I’m sure it’ll become a favorite in your kitchen too.