How to Make the Perfect Greek Chicken Rice Skillet
Greek · Medium · 45 min · 4 servings
A Mediterranean inspired one pan meal with juicy chicken thighs, fluffy lemon rice, olives, and feta cheese. Everything cooks together in one skillet for maximum flavor and easy cleanup.
Why this recipe works
This Greek Chicken Rice Skillet recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 45 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 540 calories with 38g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 10 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 4 pieces boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1.5 cups long grain white rice
- 2.5 cups chicken broth
- 1 whole lemon, juiced and zested
- 0.5 cup kalamata olives, halved
- 0.5 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp paprika
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Season and Sear Chicken
Season chicken thighs with oregano, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat and sear chicken for 4 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
Step 2: Toast the Rice
In the same skillet, add rice and cook for 2 minutes, stirring often, until lightly toasted and fragrant.
Step 3: Add Liquid and Chicken
Pour in chicken broth, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir to combine and scrape up any browned bits from the pan. Nestle the seared chicken thighs on top of the rice.
Step 4: Simmer Until Cooked
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover with a lid and cook for 18 to 20 minutes until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked through to 165 degrees F.
Step 5: Top and Serve
Remove from heat and scatter kalamata olives and crumbled feta over the top. Let rest covered for 5 minutes before serving.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- chicken thighs → chicken breasts, but reduce cooking time to avoid dryness
- kalamata olives → green olives or simply omit if you do not enjoy olives
- feta cheese → goat cheese for a creamier and milder finish
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Lifting the lid while the rice cooks, which releases steam and results in undercooked rice
- Skipping the sear on the chicken, which eliminates depth of flavor in the dish
- Using too high heat during the simmer, which burns the bottom of the rice before it finishes cooking
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 540 calories, 38g protein, 44g carbs, 22g fat, 2g fiber.
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