Are you ready to elevate your dinner game with a dish that's as easy to prepare as it is delicious? Meet the Crockpot Lemon Garlic Chicken and Rice – a mouthwatering recipe that will fill your home with irresistible aromas and leave your taste buds dancing! With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, this dish is perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. Imagine tender chicken infused with zesty lemon and fragrant garlic, all served over fluffy rice. Trust us, once you try this recipe, you'll want to make it again and again!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 6 hrs
Total Time: 6 hrs 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Begin by preparing your ingredients. Gather 4 chicken breasts, 1 cup of rice, 2 cups of chicken broth, 1 lemon, 4 cloves of garlic, and 1 teaspoon of thyme. Make sure to have salt and pepper on hand for seasoning.
- In a small bowl, juice the lemon and set it aside. Mince the garlic cloves finely and also set aside.
- In the bottom of your crockpot, add the 1 cup of rice evenly across the bottom. This will serve as the base for your dish.
- Next, pour the 2 cups of chicken broth over the rice, ensuring it is evenly distributed.
- Take the chicken breasts and season them with salt, pepper, and thyme. You can do this directly in the crockpot or in a separate bowl for better coverage.
- Place the seasoned chicken breasts on top of the rice and broth mixture in the crockpot.
- Drizzle the lemon juice over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are well coated with the tangy flavor.
- Sprinkle the minced garlic evenly over the chicken and rice. This will infuse the dish with a delicious garlic aroma as it cooks.
- Cover the crockpot with its lid and set it to cook on low for 6 hours. This slow cooking process will allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
- After 6 hours, check the chicken for doneness. It should be cooked through and tender, easily shredding with a fork.
- Once done, gently fluff the rice with a fork, mixing it with the chicken and broth to combine the flavors.
- Serve the lemon garlic chicken and rice warm, garnished with additional lemon slices or fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy your meal!
Tips
- Prep Ahead: To save time, you can prepare your ingredients the night before. Juice the lemon, mince the garlic, and season the chicken so everything is ready to go in the morning.
- Layering is Key: Make sure to layer the rice at the bottom of the crockpot before adding the chicken and broth. This ensures even cooking and prevents the rice from becoming mushy.
- Season Generously: Don’t be shy with the salt, pepper, and thyme! These seasonings are crucial for enhancing the flavors of the chicken and rice.
- Check for Doneness: Cooking times may vary based on your crockpot model. After 6 hours, ensure the chicken is fully cooked and tender; it should shred easily with a fork.
- Garnish for Flavor: For an extra pop of flavor, consider garnishing your dish with fresh herbs like parsley or additional lemon slices before serving.
- Leftover Magic: This dish makes fantastic leftovers! Store any extras in an airtight container in the fridge, and enjoy them for lunch the next day.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 95mg
