Here’s a full Luscious Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herbed Rice recipe for you — a bright, fragrant dish with juicy chicken, zesty lemon-garlic sauce, and fluffy rice infused with fresh herbs 🌿🍋.

🍋 Luscious Lemon Garlic Chicken with Herbed Rice

🛒 Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs for juicier meat)

• 3 tbsp olive oil

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• Zest of 1 lemon

• Juice of 2 lemons (about 6 tbsp)

• ½ cup chicken broth

• 2 tbsp unsalted butter

• 1 tsp dried oregano (or 1 tbsp fresh)

• 1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh)

• ½ tsp paprika

• Salt & black pepper to taste

• Lemon slices (for garnish)

• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

For the Herbed Rice:

• 1 ½ cups long-grain rice (basmati or jasmine work best)

• 3 cups chicken broth (or water + bouillon)

• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ tsp salt

• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped

• 2 tbsp fresh dill or cilantro (optional)

• Juice of ½ lemon

🥘 Instructions

1. Cook the Herbed Rice

1. Heat olive oil/butter in a saucepan over medium heat.

2. Add garlic and sauté 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. Stir in rice and toast lightly for 1 minute.

4. Add chicken broth and salt, bring to a boil.

5. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes (or until rice is fluffy and liquid absorbed).

6. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and stir in parsley, dill (if using), and lemon juice. Keep warm.

2. Prepare the Chicken

1. Pat chicken dry, season with salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, and thyme.

2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

3. Add chicken and sear 4–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through (165°F internal temp). Remove and set aside.

3. Make the Lemon Garlic Sauce

1. In the same skillet, melt butter.

2. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.

3. Pour in chicken broth, lemon juice, and zest.

4. Scrape up browned bits from the pan and simmer 3–4 minutes until slightly reduced.

5. Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over the top, and simmer for 2 minutes.

4. Assemble & Serve

1. Spoon herbed rice onto plates.

2. Place chicken on top and drizzle with lemon garlic sauce.

3. Garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices.

🌟 Tips & Variations

• Add a handful of baby spinach to the rice for extra greens.

• If you like creamier sauce, whisk in 2 tbsp heavy cream before returning chicken to the pan.

• Swap rice with orzo pasta or couscous for a Mediterranean twist.

🍴 Flavor Analogy

This dish is like a summer breeze on a plate 🌞—the lemon adds brightness, the garlic adds depth, and the herbed rice grounds everything with a comforting freshness.