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

Nothing beats the comforting aroma of tender chicken and fluffy rice infused with fresh lemon and herbs. This One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Recipe is a total game-changer — it’s simple, bursting with flavor, and clean-up is a breeze. Trust me, once you try this, it'll probably become a go-to weeknight favorite.

The image shows a close-up of a white pot filled with a layer of cooked light brown rice at the bottom. On top, there are three large, seasoned chicken pieces with a golden-brown, slightly charred surface that adds texture. Thin lemon slices with bright yellow edges and translucent centers are placed on top of the chicken and scattered around the rice. Small green herb sprigs are also placed on the chicken breasts, adding a fresh touch. The pot is set on a white marbled surface. 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

This dish nails that perfect balance between tangy lemon, warm herbs, and buttery comfort food vibes. It’s one of those recipes that makes you feel like you put in extra effort, even though it’s just a one-pot wonder.

Effortless Magic: You cook everything in one pan, which means minimal mess and maximum flavor melding.
Bright, Fresh Flavor: The lemon juice and Italian seasoning give the chicken and rice a fresh, vibrant kick you’ll crave again and again.
Time Saver: Ready in 30 minutes, so it’s perfect when you want a satisfying homemade meal without long prep or cooking times.
Great For Leftovers: It reheats beautifully, making it great for easy lunches or quick dinners later in the week.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The harmony between these ingredients is what makes this One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Recipe sing. The butter imparts richness, the lemon adds a lively tang, and the herbs deepen the savory flavors. Stick to the basics for this one—fresh lemon and good-quality broth make a noticeable difference.

Flat lay of four raw boneless skinless chicken breasts seasoned with coarse salt, cracked black pepper, and dried Italian herbs, a small white ceramic bowl of uncooked white rice, a small white ceramic bowl of melted golden butter, a small white ceramic bowl filled with clear chicken broth, a whole fresh lemon cut in half with one half displaying bright yellow juicy flesh and the other whole and smooth, and a few small sprigs of fresh green parsley, all arranged in perfect symmetry in realistic proportions 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: Using breasts keeps it lean and cooks evenly; pounding them slightly helps if one’s thicker than others.
Butter: Melts beautifully to brown the chicken and adds a luscious mouthfeel to the whole dish.
Salt and pepper: Simple seasonings you can’t skip; they bring out the natural flavors.
Italian seasoning: A blend that adds herbal warmth—don’t substitute with just one herb or it won’t have the same layered flavor profile.
Uncooked white rice: Long grain works best here for fluffy, separate grains after cooking.
Chicken broth: I prefer low sodium so I can adjust salt later, but regular broth works fine too.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed brightens the entire dish with zesty notes you just can’t get from bottled lemon juice.

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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 recipe is how easy it is to adapt. Over the years, I’ve played around with adding different herbs or swapping chicken breasts for thighs depending on what’s in my fridge. This dish practically invites you to make it your own.

Variation: I sometimes swap Italian seasoning for a mix of fresh rosemary and thyme which adds a lovely woodsy note. You might find a favorite twist that suits your taste!

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

The image shows a close-up of several cooked chicken pieces with a golden-brown crust. Each piece is seasoned with bits of herbs and black pepper, giving the surface a speckled look with green and black spots. The chicken pieces have a light, slightly charred texture and are placed close together in a pan. The background appears dark, with the main focus on the juicy, well-cooked chicken pieces that have a slightly shiny and textured surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Brown the chicken to seal in flavor

Start by melting the butter over medium heat in a large skillet with a lid. While that’s warming, season your chicken breasts generously with salt, pepper, and the first dose of Italian seasoning. Once the butter’s melted and shimmering, add the chicken. Brown it for about 1-2 minutes on each side until it’s a beautiful golden color. Don’t worry if the chicken isn’t cooked through yet—that happens later, but this step locks in juices and adds wonderful depth.

Step 2: Layer flavors in the pot

Remove the browned chicken to a plate for now. In the same pan (no rinsing needed—hello extra flavor!), add the uncooked white rice, chicken broth, lemon juice, and the remaining teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Give it a quick stir to mix everything gently but evenly.

Step 3: Simmer to perfection

Nestle the chicken back on top of the rice. Cover the skillet with the lid and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until all the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender. Keep the lid on—this traps the steam to cook the rice evenly while the chicken finishes cooking gently right above it.

Step 4: Garnish and serve

Once done, fluff the rice gently with a fork and garnish with some fresh parsley or cilantro and lemon wedges for squeezing. Serve it immediately while it’s warm and fragrant.

Top Tip

I’ve made this recipe dozens of times and these personal tips have saved me from common hiccups. Follow these and you’ll nail it every time.

Even Cooking: If your chicken breasts are uneven in thickness, gently pound them to an even size — this helps them cook through evenly during the simmer phase without drying out.
Layering Flavors: Don’t skip browning the chicken first; the fond (those browned bits) adds so much flavor to the rice as it cooks.
Keep That Lid On: Resist the urge to peek while it simmers — lifting the lid lets steam escape and can affect the rice’s texture.
Taste Before Serving: Depending on your broth’s saltiness, you might want to adjust seasoning at the end with a pinch more salt or a squeeze of lemon.

How to Serve One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a fan of finishing each plate with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro for a pop of color and brightness. Lemon wedges are essential on the side—you want that fresh lemon squeeze on every bite to really make the flavors shine.

Side Dishes

This dish stands well on its own, but I often pair it with a simple green salad dressed with a tangy vinaigrette, roasted veggies like asparagus or green beans, or even some garlic sautéed spinach to round out the meal.

Creative Ways to Present

For dinner guests, I like to serve the chicken whole on a big platter piled over the lemon herb rice, surrounded by wedges of lemon and sprinkled with fresh herbs. It looks rustic yet elegant — always a crowd-pleaser!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It keeps its flavor and texture well when reheated gently.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this dish successfully by portioning leftovers into freezer-safe containers. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating to maintain the best texture. The lemon and herbs hold up nicely without becoming bitter.

Reheating

Reheat leftover portions covered in the microwave or in a skillet over low heat with a splash of water or broth to keep the rice moist. Adding a few fresh lemon drops before serving refreshes the flavors perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?

Absolutely! Chicken thighs work great and add extra juiciness and flavor. Just adjust cooking time slightly if needed and make sure they’re not too thick.

What type of rice should I use?

Long grain white rice is ideal for this recipe because it cooks evenly and stays fluffy without getting mushy. Avoid instant or quick-cook rice as it won’t absorb the liquid properly in this one-pot method.

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes! Simply substitute the butter with olive oil or your favorite non-dairy butter alternative. It will still brown the chicken nicely and keep the dish flavorful.

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

Using a good quality non-stick skillet helps, but also don’t lift the lid or stir the rice while it’s cooking. Letting the steam build evenly cooks the rice and prevents sticking. If you’re worried, a small splash of extra broth can help loosen things near the end.

Final Thoughts

Sharing this One Pot Lemon Herb Chicken and Rice Recipe with you feels like I’m letting you in on a little secret for effortless comfort food. It’s simple, satisfying, and always gets praise at my table. Give it a try—you’ll love how the bright lemon and fragrant herbs transform everyday ingredients into something special. Plus, everything cooks in one pan, so you get more time to enjoy your meal and less time in the kitchen. Happy cooking!