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5 Secrets to 20 Minute Dinners!
Tips, tricks, and recipes for dinner in a hurry!
One-Pan Greek Chicken And Rice Recipe
Looking for a simple and delicious dinner that you can make in one pan? Then, this easy and quick one-pan Greek chicken and rice recipe will never disappoint you.
This dish is made with juicy lemon marinated chicken thighs and fluffy rice cooked in a delicious Greek yogurt spinach blend sauce. Top the dish with Greek feta crumbles to complete it in the most authentic way.
When the chicken and the rice are cooked together in the same pan, the flavors from the chicken and the sauce are able to mingle and intensify, resulting in a dish that is bursting with flavor in every bite. The lemon slices and crumbled feta cheese used to garnish the dish add a tangy and salty flavor that balances out the richness of the chicken and the sauce.
Why This Recipe Works
This homemade Greek chicken and rice recipe brings a healthy and delicious to the table in less than 30 minutes. It’s easy to make and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
This is a quick recipe that is easy to clean up after cooking. It’s perfect for busy moms, young professionals, and those with a tight schedule.
Overall, this recipe works because it is a well-balanced dish that combines proteins, carbs and a delicious vegetable blend sauce. It’s a one-pan meal that is easy to make, flavorful, and satisfying
Recipe Ingredients
Homemade one-pan Greek chicken and rice recipe calls for a few simple ingredients that are easily found in your local groceries.
- Lemons
- Olive oil
- Garlic
- Ground oregano
- Salt
- Ground white pepper
- Chicken thighs
- Baby spinach
- Fresh basil leaves
- Store-bought chicken stock
- Greek yogurt
- Brown onion
- Basmati rice
- Greek Feta
You may also use 1 1/2 teaspoons of dried oregano leaves as a substitute for ground oregano when marinating the chicken thighs. If using fresh oregano, you may add 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh oregano to the marinade.
How To Make One-Pan Greek Chicken And Rice?
First, marinate the chicken with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper to add more flavor to the meat. Heat the pan with oil and cook the chicken thigh for a few minutes until golden brown on both sides and half cooked. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set them aside.
Meanwhile, prepare the Greek yogurt spinach sauce used to cook the rice is made with baby spinach, fresh basil leaves, chicken stock, and Greek yogurt. The sauce is blended until smooth and then added to the pan with the chicken and rice. The sauce not only flavors the rice, but also helps to keep it moist and tender.
Finally, heat the pan with the remaining oil and stir-fry the onion until aromatic. Add rice and the Greek yogurt spinach sauce, stir well. Bring it to a simmer. Return the chicken to the pan, cover and cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, or until the rice is soft, and the chicken is cooked through.
To serve, top the rice with lemon slices and crumbled feta cheese for the best taste.
Tips
- Marinate the chicken with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper for 10 minutes or even longer if possible. The lemon marinade used to flavor the chicken not only adds a bright and tangy flavor, but also helps to keep the chicken moist and tender while it cooks.
- Use skinless and boneless chicken thighs: Chicken thighs have more flavor and moisture than chicken breasts, making them perfect for this dish. Use skinless and boneless chicken thighs to save time and minimize the amount of prep work required.
- Use fresh herbs, such as fresh basil and spinach, which add a bright, fresh flavor to the dish. Use fresh herbs rather than dried ones to achieve the best results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different type of rice other than basmati rice?
Yes, you can use any type of long-grain rice for this recipe, such as jasmine rice or long-grain brown rice. You may follow the instruction on the back of the package to determine the cooking time.
Can I make the Greek yogurt spinach sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the sauce ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator overnight. However, I recommend making the sauce right before cooking the dish for the best and freshest taste.
How Many Calories Per Serving?
This recipe has 603 calories per serving.
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One-Pan Greek Chicken And Rice
Ingredients
- 2 lemons (divided)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon ground oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 4 pieces chicken thighs (total 750g, skinless and boneless)
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 1 cup store-bought chicken stock
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 brown onion (finely chopped )
- 1 cup basmati rice
- 1 cup Greek Feta (for garnish )
Instructions
- Juice one lemon and thinly slice another. Reserve the slices for serving. In a bowl, mix together the half lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, garlic, ground oregano, salt, and ground white pepper. Add the chicken thighs and marinate for 10 minutes.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs in the pan and cook for 4 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and half-cooked. Transfer to a plate.
- Meanwhile, make the Greek yogurt spinach sauce in a food processor. Blend together the remaining lemon juice, baby spinach, basil leaves, chicken stock, and Greek yogurt for 30 seconds until smooth.
- Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a frying pan over medium heat. Add the onion and stir-fry until aromatic. Stir in the rice, then add the yogurt spinach mixture and bring to a simmer. Return the chicken thighs and any juices to the pan, cover with a lid, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook for 15 minutes or until the rice is soft and the chicken is cooked through.
- Turn off the heat, leave the lid covered for another 5 minutes, then serve with lemon slices and feta cheese crumbles on top.
Notes
- Marinate the chicken with lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper for 10 minutes or even longer if possible. The lemon marinade used to flavor the chicken not only adds a bright and tangy flavor but also helps to keep the chicken moist and tender while it cooks.
- Use skinless and boneless chicken thighs: Chicken thighs have more flavor and moisture than chicken breasts, making them perfect for this dish. Use skinless and boneless chicken thighs to save time and minimize the amount of prep work required.
- Use fresh herbs, such as fresh basil and spinach which add a bright, fresh flavor to the dish. Use fresh herbs rather than dried ones to achieve the best results.
4 thighs 750g each or total weight
The total weight is 750g.
I really enjoyed this recipe, excellent
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Sounds fabulous! What is a brown onion? I have never heard of one and have been cooking for decades.
Brown onion, aka yellow onion, has a stronger flavor compared to white and red onion. It has golden brown skin and white inside.
The recipe calls for brown onion. What is this? I’ve never heard of brown onions!
Brown onion, aka yellow onion. You can find them in local grocery stores.
Thank you! I thought so but wanted to be sure. The recipe sounds delicious.
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Looks like another 5* recipe, Bee! I am going to make this within the next few days. Good timing, as I planned to go to my local supermarket tomorrow, where they have chicken on sale, plus I need to get some of the other ingredients. I think it will turn out to be another taste sensation! Thank you for what I anticipate will be another Bee recipe victory! Cheers!
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