Description
Complete one-pot meal featuring tender chicken thighs, perfectly cooked rice, and bright lemon herb flavors. Set-and-forget slow cooker convenience creates restaurant-quality comfort food for busy families.
Ingredients
6 bone-in chicken thighs, skin-on
1½ cups long-grain white rice
3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
2 large lemons, zested and juiced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons fresh mixed herbs (thyme, rosemary, oregano)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon paprika
2 tablespoons fresh parsley for garnish
Cooking spray for slow cooker
Instructions
1. Spray 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray.
2. Spread rice evenly in bottom of slow cooker.
3. Pat chicken thighs dry and season with salt, pepper, lemon zest, and herbs.
4. Combine chicken broth, lemon juice, and minced garlic in measuring cup.
5. Pour broth mixture over rice in slow cooker.
6. Nestle seasoned chicken thighs on top, skin-side up.
7. Cover and cook on LOW for 4-5 hours until chicken reaches 165°F.
8. Check that rice has absorbed liquid and is tender.
9. Remove chicken temporarily and fluff rice with fork.
10. Return chicken to slow cooker for 10 minutes to meld flavors.
11. Garnish with fresh parsley and additional lemon zest before serving.
Notes
Don’t lift slow cooker lid during cooking to prevent steam loss.
Long-grain rice works best – avoid short-grain varieties that get mushy.
Bone-in thighs stay more moist than boneless during long cooking.
Can substitute chicken breasts but reduce cooking time to 3-4 hours.
Leftovers keep refrigerated up to 4 days or freeze up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 thigh with rice
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: slow cooker chicken, lemon herb chicken, chicken and rice, one pot meal, easy dinner